A mass shooting was carried out in Paris overnight, targeting satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
Twelve people were killed in the attack, including 10 journalists and two police officers. 11 more were injured.
At around 11.30am local time, three men carrying assault rifles entered the building. They allegedly fired at reception staff and then proceeded to an upstairs room where the magazine’s editorial staff was holding a conference. The gunmen then killed all of the journalists bar one, who was hiding under a table.
It is believed the attackers were armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles and rocket-launchers.
The gunmen are still at large. French authorities have released the names of those wanted in connection with the attack: Cherif and Said Kouachi.
French President Francois Hollande immediately announced the shooting was an act of terror.
“This is a terrorist attack, there is no doubt about it,” he said.
“An act of indescribable barbarity has just been committed today in Paris. Measures have been taken to find those responsible, they will be hunted for as long as it takes to catch them and bring them to justice.”
The shooting is believed to be related to the magazine’s satirical portrayal of the Prophet Mohammed and other key Islamic figures. The last tweet sent from the Charlie Hebdo account before the shooting mocked militant Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
The gunmen were heard shouting that they had “killed Charlie Hebdo” and “avenged the prophet” immediately following the shooting.
While the magazine has attracted controversy surrounding similar cartoons in the past, this attack is considered to be one of the worst on French soil in recent memory.
President Hollande has raised the country’s security alert to the highest level.
No terrorist group has taken responsibility for the attack as yet.
World leaders have joined together to firmly condemn the attacks last night and this morning. Prime Minister Tony Abbott tweeted early this morning: “An unspeakable atrocity in Paris overnight. If you don’t like something, you don’t read it; you don’t kill people you disagree with.”
President Obama announced he would commit US forces to assist in the search for the men responsible for the attack.
“We are in touch with French officials and I have directed my administration to provide any assistance needed to help bring these terrorists to justice,” he said.
“France is America’s oldest ally, and has stood shoulder to shoulder with the United States in the fight against terrorists who threaten our shared security and the world.”
Many global leaders have also reiterated the importance of defending free speech and freedom of the press from acts of aggression.
“We stand with the French people inthe fight against terror and defending the freedom of the press,” British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Twitter.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said the shooting was an attack on democracy.
“It was a horrendous, unjustifiableand cold-blooded crime. It was also a direct assault on a cornerstone of democracy, on the media and on freedom of expression,” he said.
“This is a moment for solidarity around the world. We must stand strong for freedom of expression and tolerance and stand against the forces of division and hate.”
German Chancellor Angela Merkel described the shooting as “an attack on freedom of speech and the press, core elements of our free democratic culture. In no way can this be justified”.
Pope Francis and the Queen of England have also expressly condemned the attack.
A number of vigils are being held around the capital today to mourn the victims and their families.
Cartoonists around the world have begun to respond to the attack in Paris. Here are a few examples:
