Three women were stabbed Monday in northern Paris after a man attacked them on a public street, leaving two of the victims seriously wounded. French authorities said the suspect was quickly apprehended by an off-duty police officer with the assistance of bystanders.

The victims, ages 19, 24, and 36, were taken to a hospital. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said one woman suffered a stab wound to the back and another was stabbed in the abdomen. Both remain in serious condition but are not believed to be in life-threatening danger.

According to investigators, the off-duty officer spotted the suspect after the attack, followed him, and—with help from civilians—restrained him until responding police arrived.

French authorities have not publicly identified the suspect or announced a motive. According to Le Parisien, a source close to the investigation said the suspect claimed that “Allah sent me to kill.” Despite the statement, investigators currently believe the suspect may be suffering from mental illness, and the case is not being investigated as a terrorist attack at this stage.

The stabbing comes just two days after a separate vehicle-ramming terrorist attack in the Paris area that killed one woman and injured 29 others.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)