Elderly Suspect Arrested After Shooting and Arson Attempt at Bayonne Mosque

Shots were fired on Monday at the entrance of the Bayonne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) mosque. "A man tried to set fire to the door of the Bayonne mosque. Surprised in his attempt by two people, he shot at them. The individual, on leaving, set fire to a vehicle," said the Prefect of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, in a statement.

Aged 74 and 78 years old, the two seriously injured men were admitted to the Bayonne Hospital Center. The suspect, for his part, was arrested at his home in Saint-Martin-de-Seignanx, in the Landes, by the police of the Anti-Crime Brigade (BAC). A gas cylinder and a weapon were found in his car. He also held three category B weapons.

The defendant admitted the facts he is accused of during his interrogation. The man’s motivations remain, for the moment, unknown. A flagrante delicto investigation was opened by the Bayonne Prosecutor’s Office.

On Twitter, the President of the French Republic condemned the act. "I firmly condemn the odious attack perpetrated in front of the Bayonne mosque. I send my thoughts to the victims. The Republic will never tolerate hatred. Everything will be done to punish the perpetrators and protect our Muslim compatriots. I am committed to this," wrote Emmanuel Macron.