Attack at Paris' Champs-Elysee Leaves One Dead

Almost two months to the day after 39-year-old French citizen Karim Cheurfi was shot and killed by police officers, another alleged attack took place on Paris’ famed Champs-élysées.

CNN reports a car loaded with weapons and explosives rammed into a police car, seemingly on purpose.

Officers on the scene were able to take down the suspect, and he is now reportedly dead. CNN quotes France's interior minister, Gerard Collomb, who explains: “The car contained weapons, explosives, enough to allow him to blow up this car.”

Collomb also told reporters that the suspect driving the vehicle is now dead. 

TheLocal.fr reports officials have warned people to stay clear of the area, an iconic tourist destination.

Police operation under way in Paris around the Champs-Elysees amid reports of a car on fire https://t.co/rfoOLIDfY2

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) June 19, 2017

CORRECTED PHOTO: Paris police took down an armed man after car rammed into police van on Champs-Elysees https://t.co/QLn4PdOsaQ pic.twitter.com/q6BprcVUY7

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) June 19, 2017

French police have cordoned off the Champs-Elysees in Paris following an incident. https://t.co/WVydf8Z82u

— Moments UK & Ireland (@UKMoments) June 19, 2017

Video shows police investigating vehicle amid Champs Elysées incident; driver who crashed into police car is dead. https://t.co/RNUEVcKfOR pic.twitter.com/4W1uscSxml

— ABC News (@ABC) June 19, 2017

The Local also quotes Collomb, who states, “Security forces have been targeted in France once again.” The minister went so far as to describes Monday’s incident as an “attempted attack.”

Thankfully, the report also states that no police officers or bystanders were injured in this particular incident.

A police officer was killed during the aforementioned attack on April 20, when Cheurfi got out of his car near at the Champs-élysées and shot at officers. The suspect was quickly gunned down as he ran from the scene.

READ MORE: Terrorism Won't Stop Tourism

Tourists were also given a scare when a man brandishing a hammer and was subsequently taken down by authorities at Notre Dame Cathedral earlier this month.

This is the fourth attack in a five-month span, also including an incident in February at the Louvre and one a month later at Orly Airport.

It is the second time in as many months the Champs-élysées, a visitor hotspot popular for its restaurants and shops, has been evacuated. According to one eyewitness, everyone was told to "run. 

Large explosion and shots fired on Champs Elysee #Paris looks like on person on ground.. everyone told to run.. pic.twitter.com/NTXVDgYS8J

— Andrew Hawley (@aelhawley) June 19, 2017

As the investigation unfolded, local authorities asked the public to avoid visiting the area. The U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs tweeted a similar message.

Security incident on the Champs Elysees in #Paris near intersection w/ Ave. Montaigne. Avoid area and follow advice of French authorities pic.twitter.com/TD74jXTE0I

— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) June 19, 2017

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