Backpack hero who tried to stop Annecy attacker: “I followed my instinct”

France has already baptized it as backpack hero after he posted on social media how he tried to stop a Syrian refugee Abdelmasih H.using his rucksack as protection, to prevent him from continuing his grisly career by stabbing children and adults who were enjoying a quiet Thursday morning at the children’s playground located in the recreation area bordering the Lake Annecy.

The hero in question is Henri d’Anselme, 24, who was passing through the town in the French Alps as part of a trip he began nine months ago to study French cathedrals after a degree in philosophy. “Unfortunately On the way to the cathedrals, I came across a path of blood“, he said this Friday for BFMTV.

«I followed my instincts and tried to protect the children.”, he explained to the French chain, rejecting the label of a national hero. “I didn’t even think about it. Act as any Frenchman would“, he points out before clarifying that “many other people, like me, started running after him to scare him, to drive him away”, he adds. “It was unthinkable to stay and do nothing”. In the videos recorded by cellphones, you can see how other walkers also intervened to protect the children in the park. One of them is one of the injured adults.

In another interview with another French newspaper, Cnews, he admits that he was afraid for his life “but above all for other people’s”. Henri admits that he does not stop thinking about the victims and hopes that they will recover. “I have horrible images in my head”concludes this practical Catholic before asking for prayers for the wounded on social media.

During a visit to the prefecture of Annecy (government delegation), President Emmanuel Macron thanked the police, municipal and health workers for their quick reaction, which prevented new victims. He also praised the courage of the citizens who stood up to an attacker like Henri, with whom he talked for a few minutes. The young man asked him for a “small wish”: to attend the inauguration of Notre Dame when the reconstruction after the fire is finished. “I personally take care”he replied.

One of the victims of the attack Yusuf, 78 years old, whose condition did not require hospitalizationhe was able to attend Macron’s speech at the prefecture.

Condition of the wounded

Previously, the head of state, accompanied by his wife Brigitte, visited three minors hospitalized in Grenoble – the fourth, a Dutch citizen, is in a medical center in Geneva.

Two children and a 70-year-old man – who was also hit by police gunfire – are still very seriously injured, but the other two children are stabilized and the prognosis is “positive”, Macron said. “One of them [Alba, 2 años, cuyo primo, Ennio, es otra de las víctimas] watching television”he said, according to reports le figaro. “And the Dutch woman from Geneva is better,” added the president.

Abdelmasih H., accused of attempted murder of four children aged 22 months to 3 years and two adults, was subjected to psychological test in order to determine his mental health condition and if it is compatible with a stay in a cell or, on the contrary, he should be admitted to a psychiatric prison module. The French prosecutor’s office has decided to extend his police custody, while the investigation continues to uncover the motive for his frenzied murderous career, reports Colpisa.