Trump denounces ‘horrible’ attack in France

Washington: US President Donald Trump on Saturday denounced an Islamist attack in France that claimed four lives, including that of a policeman hailed as a hero.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the horrible attack in France yesterday, and we grieve the nation´s loss,” Trump tweeted.

“We also condemn the violent actions of the attacker and anyone who would provide him support. We are with you @EmmanuelMacron!” A gunman claiming allegiance to the Islamic State group on Friday hijacked a car in Carcassonne, southwestern France, and shot the two people inside. The passenger was killed and the Portuguese driver was left in a critical condition.

He also shot and wounded a police officer out jogging. In the nearby town of Trebes the gunman, Radouane Lakdim, 25, then holed up in a supermarket where he killed the supermarket´s butcher and a customer.

Police Lieutenant-Colonel Arnaud Beltrame, 45, took the place of a woman whom the gunman had been using as a human shield, but he shot and stabbed the officer, who died early Saturday from his wounds.