So What Happened in Paris?
On the evening of November 13th, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) executed a coordinated attack in Paris, France, leaving over 300 hundred injured and 128 killed. Eight terrorists conducted mass shootings, suicide bombings, and hostage taking at six locations in France’s capital.
These locations included: Stade de France, Rues Bichat and Alibert, Rude de la Fontaine-au-Roi, The Bataclan Theatre, Rue de Charoone, and Boulevard Voltaire.
Stade de France
At 9:30 pm three suicide bombers attempted to enter the stadium fifteen minutes into an international soccer match between Germany and France. Security prevented one of the men from entering the stadium once a security check detected the explosives. Two of the men detonated their explosives outside of the stadium. One of the explosions was heard from inside the stadium, causing people to flee through exits.
The Bataclan Theatre
An American rock band called Eagles of Death Metal was playing at the theater when three heavily armed terrorists entered the building at 9:40 pm carrying machine guns. They shot at random towards the crowd, killing 89 people and injuring at least a hundred others. Hostages remained in the theater while the ISIS members continued to shoot for fifteen minutes. Armed police entered, shooting at the attackers, eliminating all three threats.
The remaining attacks were dispersed throughout the city. A series of cafés and restaurants were targeted. A combination of shootings and bombings were used to kill dozens.
France declared a state of emergency following the attacks and the French Air Force launched an airstrike on Raqqa, the city where ISIL is based. School, sport events, recreational parks and centers, and the Eiffel Tower all closed or postponed temporarily as a mark of respect.
The MHS Lion’s Roar talked with a local Christopher Newport University student who was present during the attacks. Click here to read his story.
