A man wielding a knife was shot by police under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on Friday, February 13, 2026, after threatening a member of the Republican Guard. The incident occurred as the military unit was providing security for a ceremony to relight the flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, near the Champs-Élysées.
According to a statement from the Paris Prefecture, a second member of the guard then used their firearm to neutralize the individual. The suspect was transported to a hospital, where his condition is currently critical.
Authorities have identified the suspect as a resident of Seine-Saint-Denis, born in 1978. He is known to police and is listed in the Micas database, a French system for administrative and surveillance monitoring. Reports indicate he was previously convicted of a crime in Belgium several years ago.
The national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office has taken over the investigation and launched an inquiry. A magistrate from the prosecutor’s office is currently at the scene.
“His vital prognosis is engaged,” the Paris Prefecture stated.
The shooting underscores heightened security concerns in the French capital, particularly around national monuments. Investigations are ongoing to determine the suspect’s motives and any potential connections to extremist groups.
