The area around the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was closed off Tuesday after a man attacked a police officer.
French media reports that shots were fired after a man lunged at a police officer with a hammer. Another officer opened fire at the attacker, who was “neutralized” with a shot to the thorax. The officer sustained minor injuries.
Eyewitnesses said that tourists fled in panic to seek cover, BBC reports. Police are investigating the incident as a possible terror attack.
Police foiled a planned attack by the cathedral in September after discovering a car packed with seven gas cylinders and documents in Arabic. (RELATED: Police Find Car Packed With Gas Cylinders Next To Notre Dame Cathedral)
Three women were arrested after a standoff with police five days later. The youngest suspect had written a letter pledging allegiance to Islamic State.
The Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous churches in the world and attracts 13 million tourists each year.
France remains on high alert after three major terror attacks killed more than 200 people since the beginning of 2015.
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