ISIS group that threatened bioattacks vows holiday ‘era of surprises’ after Strasbourg attack

An ISIS-supporting media group that just days ago issued a threat bearing symbols of a biological attack quickly seized on the Strasbourg, France, Christmas market attack to warn of more holiday assaults.

Suspected gunman Chérif Chekatt, 29, who was born in Strasbourg, was still on the run from police – yet wounded in a firefight with cops, according to a taxi driver ordered to help him flee from the shopping area – after at least two people were killed, one has been declared brain-dead, and 13 more were wounded. One of the dead is a tourist who was visiting from Thailand.

France has increased its terror alert level and upped security at Christmas markets. Chekatt had a lengthy rap sheet of 27 total convictions, including serving time in Germany for burglary of a dentist and a pharmacy and serving time in Switzerland for robbery. Police had attempted to arrest Chekatt hours before the market attack on charges of attempted robbery and attempted murder; he reportedly escaped and officials found explosives at his home.

He was on a national security watch list and reportedly flagged as potentially being radicalized in prison, though German officials said they had no information about Chekatt having “an Islamist background.” The Paris prosecutor said in a morning press conference that he cried “Allahu Akbar” at the scene of the attack and was armed with a handgun and a knife.

Source: PJM