According to several French media outlets, including Le Monde, a 21-year-old man who had recently escaped from a hospital, is said to have acted threateningly towards spectators near the finish line in the city of Rouen north of Paris.
When the police confronted the man, the situation escalated. The man is said to have attacked a police officer and inflicted knife wounds to the chest. Fortunately, the police officer had a bulletproof vest and escaped without physical injury.
In connection with the attack, another police officer used their service weapon and shot the man in the leg. The man could then be quickly arrested and taken to hospital for care.
According to information from the French newspaper L'Équipe, the man had been wanted since June 24 when he escaped from a hospital. He is also said to have a background with mental health problems, according to the prosecutor.
”The man, who is said to have a recent psychiatric history, fled but was quickly arrested and taken into custody immediately”, says prosecutor Sebastién Gallois in a press release from the competition organizer.
A preliminary investigation into attempted murder has now been initiated.
