(UPDATED BELOW)
Only three people were injured thanks to two US Marines who were onboard a train from Amsterdam to Paris:
DAILY MAIL – A group of unarmed US Marines on board a high-speed train between Amsterdam and Paris foiled a terrorist attack after a gunman opened fire with an assault rifle, wounding three people.
The 26-year-old Moroccan national, who was known to security services, came out of the toilet brandishing the gun and opened fire. Fortunately, two US Marines were nearby and overpowered him before he could massacre passengers.
The suspected terrorist had at least nine full magazines of ammunition holding almost 200 rounds. He was also carrying a knife.
Unfortunately, one of the Marines was shot and is believed to be in a critical condition.
Speaking in Arras, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve praised the Marines for their timely intervention.
He said: ‘Thanks to them we have averted a drama.
‘(The Americans were) particularly courageous and showed extreme bravery in extremely difficult circumstances.’
The man was arrested by police near the town of Arras in northern France.
Train company Thalys confirmed the incident happened. A spokesman said: ‘The situation is under control, the travellers are safe. The train stopped and the emergency services are on site.’
Both these men put their lives on the line to prevent a terrorist massacre and they should be applauded by the world. True heroes.
We will pray that the Marine who was shot recovers quickly.
UPDATE: The two Marines heard the jihadi loading a kalashnikov rifle in the bathroom and pounced on him when he came out.
CJAD – France’s Interior Minister says two American passengers subdued a gunman who opened fire on a high-speed train travelling from Amsterdam to Paris.
One of the Americans was hospitalized with serious wounds.
The two were US marines who heard the gunman loading a kalashnikov rifle in the train’s bathroom.
Interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve says the Americans “were particularly courageous and showed great bravery in very difficult circumstances”.
He says without them the story could have been a lot worse.
A second person was also seriously wounded in the attack, while a third is being treated for minor injuries.