Two Days After the Nice Terror Attack... Greek Orthodox Priest Shot and in Critical Condition in Lyon

Suspect Apprehended After Escape, Under Investigation... Macron to Strengthen Security at Religious Facilities

The Greek Orthodox Church in Lyon, France, where a shooting incident occurred on the 31st of last month [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] In France, where a series of religiously motivated knife attacks have recently occurred, a shooting targeting a Greek Orthodox priest has taken place. This incident occurred just two days after a suspected Islamist terrorist knife attack in the southern resort city of Nice.

According to AP News and others, on the 31st of last month (local time), a shooting occurred at a Greek Orthodox building in Lyon, southeastern France. Around 4 p.m., a 52-year-old priest who was about to close the church door was hit by two bullets and collapsed.

The suspect fled the scene but was later tracked down and arrested by police after they sealed off the area, local media reported. Foreign media stated that no confirmed motive for the crime has been identified so far. Lyon investigative authorities have launched an attempted murder investigation and are reviewing possible links to terrorist attacks.

The priest, originally from Greece, received treatment at the scene but is reported to be in critical condition. Some sources suggest that since the priest was about to close the church door completely, investigators are also considering the possibility that he was involved in a personal dispute.

The French Ministry of the Interior shared the news of the incident on Twitter and urged people to avoid the area around the scene.

This shooting occurred just two days after a knife attack at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Nice on the 29th of last month. At that time, Braim Aouissaoui (21), a young man from Tunisia, attacked three people, including worshippers and a cathedral caretaker, with a pre-prepared knife at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Nice, resulting in all victims' deaths.

Following this, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the number of troops deployed to prevent terrorism would be increased from 3,000 to 7,000, strengthening security at religious facilities such as cathedrals and schools, which are about to end their All Saints' Day holidays. President Macron also referred to the shooting targeting the Greek Orthodox priest that occurred that day as "an attack by an Islamist terrorist."