Charlie Hebdo Shooting: Paris Terror Attack

At least 12 people have been killed and 4 remain seriously injured following on from a shooting incident at the Paris office of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical magazine.

Videos of the attack have begun to circulate on social media as all social channels frenzied after hearing news of the attack.

nbcnews.com

Here’s one of the first videos to be released once the attack had started in which the gunmen are visible. Just a warning, as with everything from this story, there can be upsetting or triggering images.

There have been other videos released more recently. I do not wish to share them within this article due to the graphic violence and horrific content they feature.

According to news sources, there were multiple gunmen who were armed with automatic rifles and a rocket launcher. The gunmen are still on the run at the time of the writing of this article and a massive police operation is underway to catch them. Paris has been placed on a highest threat warning.

Social media has begun piecing together the attack. Pictures of police cars riddled with bullets and victims of the attack are circulating. Posts on social media have confirmed that over 100 bullets were fired during the attack.

World leaders have taken to social media to express sadness and condolences following on from the attack.

The murders in Paris are sickening. We stand with the French people in the fight against terror and defending the freedom of the press.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 7, 2015

Aucun acte barbare ne saura jamais éteindre la liberté de la presse. Nous sommes un pays unis qui saura réagir et faire bloc.
— François Hollande (@fhollande) January 7, 2015

President Hollande commented that no attack will impact the freedom of the press.

Orrore e sgomento per la strage di Parigi,vicinanza totale a Hollande in questo momento terribile, violenza perderà sempre contro la libertà
— Matteo Renzi (@matteorenzi) January 7, 2015

Italian President Matteo Renzi tweets: 'violence will always lose against freedom.'

Here is the tweet from Charlie Hebdo which was sent out moments before the attack.

It depicts the ISIS leader wishing people well. 

Meilleurs vœux, au fait. pic.twitter.com/a2JOhqJZJM
— Charlie Hebdo (@Charlie_Hebdo_) January 7, 2015

In response to the attack, the hashtag #JeSuisCharlie has begun trending as people across the globe express their deepest sympathies over the attack.

The use of the hashtag also shows people offering support and help to anyone affected by the attack.

French terrorism expert Jean Charles Brisard told the BBC that the attack was well planned:

‘What we can say is, looking at the images and videos that are coming out, is the individuals were well-prepared, well-equipped; they had military-style weapons; they had probably bullet-proof jackets. So these individuals were well trained and determined indeed to commit this terrorist act, which is probably the worst that we've experienced in French history in the last 30 years.’

I find it deeply saddening that once again I see a story such as this all over every social channel.

I will never understand how this level of barbarity could ever be a response to a satirical magazine. I’m sure the rest of the world will stand with me in this disbelief.

Our thoughts go out to all those affected by this.

#JeSuisCharlie

Tom Welby

Tom has just graduated from University of East London in Creative and Professional Writing. He loves writing and is currently interning as a content writer hoping to go further. His other loves include Arnold Schwarzenegger films and his dog. Follow him @TomAtSMF

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