PARIS, (BN24) – French police shot and wounded a man armed with a knife at Montparnasse train station in Paris on Friday, authorities said, triggering a panic among commuters and a temporary evacuation of the station.
The Paris prosecutor’s office said an officer fired at the man, who then inflicted knife wounds on himself. The individual had reportedly threatened his wife and children earlier in the day at a Paris suburb before boarding a train bound for Montparnasse, according to a police source.
“When officers confronted the man, he threatened to kill himself,” the source said. “Police shot him in the legs to neutralize the threat.” The prosecutor’s office confirmed that at least one gunshot was fired, although several witnesses heard multiple shots.
A Reuters photographer present at the scene described the moment as chaotic, with a surge of commuters rushing through the concourse. The station, a major hub serving suburban commuter routes as well as high-speed trains heading to western and southwestern France, was evacuated shortly after the incident.
One witness, speaking to BFM TV, recalled hearing a loud bang that triggered panic. “It took me two or three seconds to realize what was happening. People started saying, ‘We have to get out of here, we have to leave quickly,’ so that got my heart racing and I got up and ran,” the witness said.
Authorities have not provided further details on the man’s condition or whether he will face charges. The incident highlights ongoing security challenges at major transit hubs in Paris, where police must balance rapid response with the safety of large crowds.
The Montparnasse station serves thousands of passengers daily, connecting central Paris with regional destinations. Following the incident, French law enforcement conducted a safety sweep and reassured the public that there was no ongoing threat.
The Paris prosecutor’s office and local police continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the man’s actions, including his threats toward family members earlier in the day.
