Islamic State says Strasbourg shooter was one of its soldiers, gives no evidence

December 14, 2018 - 8:45 AM
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People cry as they light candles in tribute to the victims of the deadly shooting in Strasbourg
People cry as they light candles in tribute to the victims of the deadly shooting in Strasbourg, France, December 13, 2018. (REUTERS/Christian Hartmann/TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

PARIS/CAIRO — Islamic State said the man who killed three people in Strasbourg was one of its soldiers, the group’s Amaq news website said on Thursday, although it provided no evidence for the claim.

An online statement from the group’s Amaq news agency said the attacker “was an Islamic State soldier and carried out the operation in response to calls for targeting citizens of coalition countries” fighting the militant group in Syria and Iraq.

The suspected gunman, Cherif Chekatt, was shot dead on Thursday in a brief gun battle with police after being on the run for 48 hours. —Reporting by John Irish and Ali Abdelaty Editing by Phil Berlowitz