Man, 25, arrested in Paris, suspected of stabbing 3 women at 3 different metro stations

French police arrested a 25-year-old man on Dec. 26, 2025 evening after he was suspected of attacking three women with a knife at three metro stations in Paris.

According to a statement by the city prosecutor's office, the three women were stabbed at Republique, Arts et Metiers and Opera at around 4pm local time (11pm Singapore time), Reuters reported.

The victims' wounds were not life-threatening.

Paris metro

The attacks occurred on the Line 3 metro that runs across central Paris, RTÉ.ie reported.

The French Interior Ministry said the suspect had aimed at a woman's back, before carrying on and attacking a second victim in the leg minutes later, dw.com reported, adding that a third victim was later also injured in the back.

It added that two of the victims were taken to hospital, but were not in critical condition, authorities said.

Modus operandi

Following the attacks, the suspect was identified using surveillance camera footage.

Morocco World News reported that officers tracked the geolocation of his mobile phone, which allowed them to locate and arrest him later in the afternoon in the Val d’Oise region, north of Paris.

Police sources told Le Parisien that the suspect was arrested later at his home and is of Malian origin and was born in 2000.

Authorities have reportedly ruled out a terrorist motive, Morocco World News reported, adding that according to the police, the attack is believed to have been carried out by a disturbed individual or someone considered psychologically fragile.

Previous convictions

The suspect's arrest comes after he was previously imprisoned in 2024 for aggravated theft and sexual assault convictions, dw.com reported.

After being released in July 2025, he was required to leave France, but his deportation was prevented by a missing consular travel document.

Increased vigilance

France's Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez addressed the situation on X, where he condemned the attacks.

The minister also praised the authorities for promptly apprehending the suspect and added that the quick arrest was due to video surveillance and police's "exceptional knowledge of the area".

Top photos via Google Maps, Canva