New surveillance video emerges of Paris attacker as French police await DNA tests on dead suspect
PARIS (KTVU/AP) - As French investigators search for the Paris attackers still on the run, a new video emerged Wednesday showing one of the gunman opening fire at one of the restaurant attack sites.
The black-and-white video needs no sound to show the terror of the November 13th attacks. A surveillance camera inside a cafe captured the gunfire and the image of one of the gunman. The video shows people running for cover and a bit later the gunman outside approaches the front door. He points the gun down toward the ground and then turns away. Seconds later, two women rise up from that very spot and run, reportedly saved after the gunman's weapon jammed.
French investigators are expecting DNA test results to indicate whether the man killed in an anti-terror raid in the Paris suburb Saint Denis was the intended target Abdelhamid Abbaoud, a 27-year-old Belgian ISIS militant suspected of orchestrating the deadly November 13th Paris attacks.
Two French intelligence officers said a female suicide bomber who died in the Saint-Denis police raid might be a cousin of Abbaoud. Eight suspects were taken into custody including Jawad Bendaud, whose home was targeted by police.
"I learned it was at my house and the individuals barricaded themselves at my house. I didn't know they were terrorists," Bendaoud told a news reporter.
The raid, which started at 4:20 a.m. Wednesday involved French military special forces, SWAT teams and more than 100 French police. They surrounded the apartment building and say 5,000 rounds were fired during the seven hour standoff. Residents recorded cell phone video that captured the gunfire and the explosions.
Police say the raid came after a tip that Abbaoud was not in Syria. Telephone and bank records indicated he might be hiding in Saint Denis, just a few miles from the first attack site Friday at the Stad de France. Police say the suspects appeared poised for another attack.
"We're trying to identify the terrorists retained, dead, or anyone that could be implied or involved," said Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins.
The French government says the identification of all 129 victims is now complete.
Many of their photos were posted at the makeshift memorials around the city. They are the faces of loved ones lost, that the people in Paris never want to forget.
Among the mourners are children. Two girls visiting Le Carillon restaurant Wednesday had lost their cousin Chloe.
"I chose to bring them here today because I think it's important for them to understand what's going on for them to see that we're all out here anyway, because we're not afraid," said Tessa Chatagnon, who brought the girls to the site.
They are among the people struggling to understand how to light a way forward for this City of Lights.
All, as the threats from ISIS continue. The terror group released a video that praises the Paris attacks and flashes images of New York City's Times Square along with a man appearing to zip his jacket over a suicide belt.
New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio said police are "taking all necessary precautions" and intelligence officials say there is no indication of any credible threat to the city.
The mayor said fear is the goal of terrorist organizations but New York City will not be intimidated.