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.

PHOTO: Security and emergency personnel are on the scene where an attacker wounded an Orthodox priest before fleeing in Lyon, France, Oct. 31, 2020.
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."

PHOTO: A French soldier stands behind a cordon near the scene where an attacker wounded an Orthodox priest before fleeing, Lyon, France, Oct. 31. 2020.
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
PHOTO: 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.
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