The primary suspect of Saturday's synagogue attack in La Grande-Motte in Hérault (southern France) has been apprehended after a 15-hour manhunt, following a shootout that left him injured.
"The alleged arsonist of the synagogue has been arrested. Thanks to the law enforcement officers, particularly RAID, who intervened with great professionalism despite gunfire," Home Affairs Minister Gérald Darmanin announced on social media shortly after midnight.
Sources close to the investigation and the National Anti-terrorism Public Prosecutor's Office (PNAT), which was assigned to the case, revealed the arrest occurred in Nîmes, around 50 kilometres north from the scene of the attack.
The operation took place around 23:35, during which the suspect "opened fire on the intervention unit" and sustained a facial injury. PNAT did not specify the severity of the individual's wounds.
"Two individuals from his acquaintance are under police custody," police said. The investigation continues to uncover the details of his planned actions and subsequent escape, added PNAT.
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The suspect, who was captured on CCTV, set fire to several cars surrounding the synagogue in La Grande-Motte town near Montpellier just after 08:00 on Saturday. There were no casualties, but one local police officer attending the fires was slightly injured by the explosion from a gas cylinder inside one of the cars.
The perpetrator managed to escape on foot and was vigorously pursued by roughly 200 police officers, according to Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who toured the crime scene with Darmanin in the late afternoon.
L’attaque antisémite contre une synagogue choque, révolte, scandalise tous les républicains de notre pays.
Je me suis rendu, avec @GDarmanin, à La Grande-Motte pour dire à nos compatriotes de confession juive que la République se tiendra toujours à leurs côtés. Pour remercier… pic.twitter.com/xgD9uyca0h — Gabriel Attal (@GabrielAttal) August 24, 2024
Attal emphasised that the attack – which occurred on the Sabbath (the Jewish day of rest) – could have devolved into an "absolute tragedy," with an "extremely determined assailant" having the potential to cause numerous casualties.
Only five individuals, including the rabbi, were present at the Beth Yaacov synagogue during the attack, which the suspect did not enter. However, a prayer service was scheduled for 09:00, barely 30 minutes after the attack.
