French police said they arrested a suspect early Saturday who allegedly tried to ignite a homemade explosive device outside a Bank of America building in Paris.
The incident has now prompted a counterterrorism investigation and raised questions about recruitment via social media apps after the suspect told police he was recruited on Snapchat, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.
The arrest occurred around 3:30 a.m. local time on Rue de la Boétie after officers intercepted a person placing a five-liter container believed to contain fuel and an ignition device that included approximately 1.5 pounds of explosive powder, the report said.
Authorities said a second individual fled the scene, while the arrested suspect claimed to be a minor of Senegalese nationality. Officials said they were still verifying the person’s identity.
The Context
Laurent Nuñez, France’s interior minister, on Saturday praised the rapid police response and referenced the broader international context of threats against U.S.- and Israeli-linked assets since the outbreak of the Iran war that began late last month, highlighting the government’s emphasis on vigilance.
Earlier this week, Nuñez said French authorities have increased personal protection of some figures from the Iranian opposition and stepped-up security around sites that could be a target, including sites linked to U.S. interests and to the Jewish community, the Associated Press reported.
What To Know
Police detained the suspect as he allegedly attempted to ignite the device with a lighter in front of a Bank of America building on Rue de la Boétie, near the Champs-Élysées in Paris’ 8th arrondissement, according to police sources cited by AFP.
Initial assessments indicated the ignition component contained about 1.5 pounds of explosive powder and the container held a little over a gallon of liquid believed to be fuel. The device was taken by authorities for further forensic analysis, RFI reported.
The suspect told police he was recruited via Snapchat and offered money to carry out the attack, with reported amounts varying between €300 ($346) and €600 (about $692), according to multiple outlets, citing police sources.
A second person fled the scene, and one account said the accomplice appeared to step back to take a photo or video during the device placement, reports said.
France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office said it opened an investigation into attempted damage by fire or dangerous means in connection with a terrorist enterprise, manufacturing incendiary or explosive devices, and terrorist criminal conspiracy, and confirmed the suspect was in custody, according to AFP.
A Bank of America spokesperson said the company was aware of the situation and is in communication with French authorities, the outlet reported.
What People Are Saying
Laurent Nuñez, interior minister of France, said in a post on X translated to English Saturday: “Bravo for the swift intervention of a prefecture of police crew that made it possible to thwart a violent action of a terrorist nature last night in Paris The investigation continues, under the authority of the PNAT and has been entrusted to the Directorate of the judicial police of the prefecture of police and to the DGSI. Vigilance remains more than ever at a high level. I congratulate all the security and intelligence forces fully mobilized under my authority in the international context that we know.”
What Happens Next
Counterterrorism prosecutors and the DGSI domestic intelligence service are continuing the investigation, including forensic analysis of the device and efforts to identify and locate the second individual who fled, authorities said.
Officials have not announced charges beyond the stated offenses, and the suspect’s identity and potential network, including alleged recruitment via Snapchat, remained under examination as of Saturday, AFP reported.
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