Greek Orthodox priest shot at church in Lyon, France

The assailant is on the run.

October 31, 2020, 3:39 PM

A Greek Orthodox priest was shot at a church in Lyon, France, at about 4 p.m. local time Saturday.

The priest, identified by French police as Nikolas Kakavelakis, was in critical condition, a spokesperson for the national police said. He is in care at a hospital, police said.

Security and emergency personnel are on the scene where an attacker wounded an Orthodox priest before fleeing in Lyon, France, Oct. 31, 2020.
Philippe Desmazes/AFP via Getty Images

A search was underway for the assailant. One arrest had been made, but it is unclear if the arrested person is the shooter, according to police.

Two gunshots were fired from a hunting rifle, police said.

"An event is underway near the Jean-Macé sector, in the 7th arrondissement in Lyon," the French Interior Ministry wrote on Twitter early Saturday afternoon. "Security and rescue forces are there. A security perimeter has been installed."

A French soldier stands behind a cordon near the scene where an attacker wounded an Orthodox priest before fleeing, Lyon, France, Oct. 31. 2020.
Philippe Desmazes/AFP via Getty Images
A woman walks past the Greek Orthodox church after a priest was shot while he was closing his church in the city of Lyon, France, Oct. 31, 2020.
Laurent Cipriani/AP

The ministry added that people should avoid the area.

This attack comes as the nation is on high-alert after a terror attack at the Basilica of Notre-Dame in Nice this week.

French authorities are monitoring the Lyon shooting but have not qualified it as an act of terrorism.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Related Topics