Terrorist attack near former offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris

Four people were stabbed on Friday in a knife attack outside the former offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris, multiple outlets reported. Two of them are seriously injured.

The two suspects have been arrested. Meanwhile, France has opened a terrorism probe into the attack, though a motive for the attack, and whether there is any association with Charlie Hebdo, remains unclear. The stabbing comes five years after two terrorists entered the magazine’s offices armed with various weapons and opened fire on magazine staff, killing twelve and injuring eleven.

One of the suspects arrested by the police in Paris, an 18-year old from Pakistan.

The victims are believed to be staff at production company Premieres Lignes, which made HBO documentary “Three Days of Terror: The Charlie Hebdo Attacks.”

French newspaper Le Monde and France 2 report that the pair aren’t journalists at the company, which specializes in investigative documentaries, but work in production and post-production. Premieres Lignes in 2015 produced the film “Three Days of Terror” with “Leaving Neverland” helmer Dan Reed. The film aired on HBO, the BBC and France 2, and was nominated for two 2017 News & Documentary Emmy Awards, including outstanding investigative documentary and research.

The neighborhood around the office was placed in lockdown on Thursday, around midday, while police conducted a manhunt. AP reporters witnessed police “flooding” the east Paris neighborhood. Officials have also reportedly cordoned off the area after a package was noticed close by.

Sources: Variety / ISCResearch (Twitter)