A man driving his car at speed crushed two police motorcyclists in Colombes, near Paris, on Monday afternoon. The driver says he wanted to die a martyr for the Islamic State. The man was taken into custody and police have searched his home.

Initial news reports spoke of a man who deliberately crushed two police motorcyclists at speed with his black BMW 1 Series in the commune of Colombes, near Paris, on Monday afternoon. Today, authorities disclosed new details, clarifying that the attacker named Youssef T. was on a moped trying to flee a police motorbike unit carrying out roadside checks during the lockdown.

He then abandoned his two-wheeler and got into a Peugeot, and later returned in a black BMW that crushed the officers. Benjamin F., one of the officers, was trapped between the BMW and a police patrol vehicle, suffering severe head injuries and multiple fractures. The other officer, Antoine D., was injured in his legs and pelvis. Both officers were rushed to hospital, where the worst injured was placed in an artificial coma, but he is no longer in a critical condition.

All we know about the perpetrator is that he is 29-year-old Youssef T. He was born in France and he was known to police for offences he committed over ten years ago. Public prosecutor Catherine Denis said the man was not classified as a dangerous criminal and thus he remained outside the database of the French security services. However, he did have some mental health issues. When the attacker was arrested, he said he had been watching videos about Palestine and wanted to take revenge on police for the situation there. Later, investigators found a knife and a letter in the car he used for the hit-and-run. According to information obtained by Le Parisien, Youssef T. referred to the Islamic State in his letter and declared that he intends to die a martyr for the terrorist organisation. Investigators are currently searching his home, looking for further evidence and motives. The French National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor s Office (PNAT) is awaiting the results of the psychological examination before questioning the suspect.

Residents in the outskirts of Paris applauded the perpetrator s hit-and-run on social media. Many said the attacker taught the cops a lesson, who only got what they deserved, adding that „it was a pleasure to see” one officer lying on the ground with a bleeding head.

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner responded to the attack on Twitter, offering the victims families his support and sympathy.