Attacks across Paris

At least 129 dead and more than 300 injured after terrorist strikes in France Nov. 13

The world stood still. Cities around the globe shined lights of red, white and royal blue upon their most memorable buildings and landmarks. The amply named “City of Light” went uncharacteristically dark. All in response to the catastrophic acts of terrorism — resulting in the deaths of more than 100 people — in Paris, France Friday night, Nov. 13.

Per multiple reports, there were several attacks in six locations throughout Paris. The following is a timeline of the tragic events.

The attacks began around 9:20 p.m. (Paris time) just outside of the Stade de France, where the French national soccer team was playing the German national team. A suicide bomber reportedly detonated his explosive vest near one of the stadium’s entrances, killing one civilian. This was the first of three eventual bombings outside of the stadium. French President Francios Hollande was in attendance but was immediately evacuated after the explosion.

The Wall Street Journal reports at least one of the terrorists had a ticket to the game and intended to detonate within the stadium. However, security noticed the explosive vest, leading to the terrorist detonating prematurely outside of the stadium.

According to CNN, three people died along with the bomber. These were the first of many casualties to come.

Five minutes later, a Le Carillon bar and a Cambodian and Vietnamese restaurant, Le Petit Cambodge, were also attacked. At 9:25 reports say two masked men exited a black vehicle with automatic weapons and opened fire, killing 15 and injuring 10. According to NBC News, investigators found approximately 100 shell casings of various calibers at the scene.

At 9:30 p.m., another bomb went off outside of the stadium. The terrorist was the only causality.

At 9:32 p.m. another bar was attacked. In the 11th district of Paris, a black vehicle arrived at A La Bonne Biere. Assailants opened fire, killing five. Similar to the attacks at the first bar and restaurant site, roughly 100 shells were found at the scene, per CNN.

The theme of attacking restaurants continued with a shooting at the Belle Equipe, another 11th district establishment. At this location, at 9:36 p.m., 19 were killed.

At 9:40 and 9:53, two more suicide bombers detonated, one at the 11th district restaurant Comptior Voltaire and another at the stadium. Each bomb was of a similar design. However, neither explosion led to civilian casualties.

Simultaneously, at 9:40, a group of three men entered the Bataclan concert hall, where American band Eagles of Death Metal was performing. Mid performance, the gunman entered the concert hall, wielding, as Paris prosecutor Francios Molins put it, “weapons of war.” With those weapons, the gunmen fired into the crowd. According to CNN, witnesses heard the assailants yell “Allahu Akbar,” Arabic for “Allah is great,” during the attacks.

Further reports indicate the gunmen gathered multiple survivors as hostages. Meanwhile, some concertgoers found places to hide and remained undiscovered for more than two hours.

It was not until 20 minutes past midnight that French elite police stormed the concert hall. The police raid led to the death of the three gunmen. Per The New York Times, two of the three intentionally detonated their vests, while the third was killed by police fire. However his vest detonated as well.

This was the last of attacks in Paris, but significant damage had already been done. Within less than an hour, 129 men and women were murdered while nearly three times as many were injured, according to NBC News.

After further investigation, The New York Times reported at least four French citizens were involved in the attacks, three of which were brothers. Investigations are still ongoing.

Two days after the chilling events, Nov. 15, Hollande and his national security team elected to bomb Raqqa, a Syrian city known to be an ISIS stronghold. He said he would be “unforgiving” to those responsible, but has not officially declared war against the Islamic State.

According to an official statement from the Defense Ministry, 12 total aircrafts were launched from the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. The statement also said 20 bombs were dropped.
At present time, a current manhunt for Salah Abdeslam, who is suspected to be involved, has made its way to Belgium, where officials believe Abdeslam has fled.

In the midst of such a horrendous tragedy, many are left with broken hearts and unanswered questions. France is in mourning as its capital city weeps. But this battle is not over. France has not been defeated. Our nation’s earliest ally will bounce back. And when it does, the City of Light will illuminate the French skies brighter than ever before.

HAYWOOD is the editor-in-chief.