A man armed with a knife was shot dead on Friday 17 May by national police officers near the synagogue in Rouen, according to a police source who informed H24 MEDIA. Police officers had intervened at around 6.45 am because of smoke emanating from the synagogue. At the scene, they were confronted by a man armed with a knife and an iron bar. One of the police officers fired, killing the man

The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, had announced on the social network X that an armed man had been ‘neutralised’ by the national police that morning.

Two investigations have been opened: one into the alleged fire at the synagogue and the violence against police officers, and the other into the circumstances of the man’s death, according to Rouen prosecutor Frédéric Teillet. The Interdepartmental Directorate of the National Police is conducting the first investigation, while the National Police Inspectorate (IGPN) is handling the second. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office is assessing whether it should take over the case.

Natacha Ben Haïm, President of the Rouen Jewish community, expressed her sadness at the damage caused by the fire, describing the blackened walls and damaged furniture. The mayor of Rouen, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, said that the suspect had climbed over a dustbin, reached the first floor of the synagogue and thrown a Molotov cocktail inside. No injuries were reported and the fire was brought under control. The mayor thanked the police and emergency services for their rapid response.