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Suspect in French train attack was known as a possible Islamist militant

by Elliot Smilowitz - 08/22/15 10:08 AM ET

A man who opened fire on a train in France before being subdued by two Americans was known to European intelligence agencies as a suspected Islamist militant, Reuters reported Saturday.

“If the identity he has declared is confirmed, he is a 26-year-old man of Moroccan nationality identified by the Spanish authorities to French intelligence services in February 2014 because of his connections to the radical Islamist movement,” said French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve.

{mosads}Two were wounded in the Friday attack, which took place on a train heading from Amsterdam to Paris. Two American soldiers in civilian clothes were among the group that disarmed the assailant.

Cazeneuve said European intelligence agencies are collaborating to try to “establish precisely the activities and travels of this terrorist.”

The attacker was armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle, an automatic pistol and a box-cutter, Cazeneuve added.

He said the man is believed to have lived in Spain and Belgium in recent years. A French newspaper reported that he spent time in Syria as well.

President Obama was updated about the attack Friday while on vacation on Martha’s Vineyard, according to the White House.

“The President’s thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims of this attack, and he wishes them speedy and full recoveries,” a White House official said.

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