12 dead as Paris newspaper office comes under attack

12 dead as Paris newspaper office comes under attack

Hollande said earlier that the people responsible for the "barbaric, terrorist act" would be brought to justice.

"No one can attack freedom. We are shocked and now we have to show we are united. The police are searching for the attackers and will find them. We will chase until we find them," Hollande said in front of the building where the office is located.

The French president confirmed that 11 people were killed, while at least four were in a critical condition after gunmen opened fire, but he pointed out that "40 people were rescued."

"The national security level raised to the highest level, because in the past few weeks several terrorist plots have been thwarted. France will be strong and determined. We will fight against all threats and punish all attackers. France has been attacked because it's a free country, but nobody must dare to attack the spirit of the republic in this way," said Oland.

Hollande has also called an emergency meeting at the Elysee Palace after the attack.

Secretary-General of Reporters Without Borders Christophe Deloire described the incident as a barbaric act.

"There is no greater assault on the freedom of expression than to attack the editorial staff of a newspaper. We could see these things in Pakistan or Somalia... but by no means in France," said he.

The identity and motive of the attackers, who were armed with AK-47s, is unknown at this time. The reports from Paris today mention that the satirical paper was previously targeted and received threats for publishing cartoons depicting Islamic prophet Muhammad.

The paper recently in its print edition published a cartoon showing the leader of the Islamic State, and tweeted the image today only 45 minutes before the massacre: