The story of the police officer who replaced the kidnapping victim made the whole of France cry.
A French police officer who bravely took the place of a female hostage during a shooting and kidnapping at a supermarket in the south of the country on March 23 has died from his injuries. His death has shocked and saddened the whole of France.
A French police officer who bravely took the place of a female hostage duringshooting and kidnapping at supermarketin the south of the country on March 23, just passed away due to severe injuries. His death shocked and saddened the whole of France.
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| Arnaud Beltrame in a photo taken in 2013. Photo: AP |
"Lieutenant Colonel Arnaud Beltrame died in the line of duty. He gave so much to his country. He fell like a hero, sacrificing his life to prevent a terrorist's massacre," French President Emmanuel Macron emotionally declared.
The kidnapper at a supermarket in the city of Trèbes shot Beltrame, after he volunteered to take the place of a female hostage and tried to deal with him.
French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb announced the death of the brave police officer on behalf of the authorities. "France will never forget his heroism, his courage and his sacrifice," Mr. Collomb wrote on Twitter.
According to CNN, the supermarket attack in southern France left a total of 4 people dead (including the perpetrator who was shot dead by police) and 16 others injured. The perpetrator was identified as Radouane Lakdim, a Moroccan native residing in the town of Carcassonne.
Lakdim opened fire in the town of Carcassonne and took hostages at a supermarket in the neighboring town of Trebes. He claimed to be a member of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization.
During the attack, Lakdim said he was “ready to die for Syria”. He also demanded the release of his “brother” Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving suspect in the 2015 Paris attacks who is currently in custody awaiting trial.
