Paris - French media have received praise for highlighting the actions of a young man known as the "hero with a backpack" who bravely intervened in a knife attack in Annecy. The 24-year-old, named Henri, was captured on video chasing the suspect and using his backpack as a defensive weapon.
As a Catholic pilgrim visiting France's cathedrals, Henri said he followed his instincts to protect the weak.
President Emmanuel Macron commended Henri's bravery during their meeting and expressed hope while acknowledging the traumatic experience. Macron visited the victims of the attack and commended the first responders.
Henri's actions received widespread support on social media under the hashtag #MerciHenri.
In an Instagram post, Henri urged prayers for the injured children and assured that he was doing well. During an interview, Henri stated that he couldn't stand idly by and had to take action to protect others, emphasizing that he was not alone in his efforts. Henri's father praised his son for preventing further harm and described him as courageous.
Prior to the incident, Henri had been interviewed about his travels to cathedrals in France, where he discussed his approach to finding accommodation by knocking on random doors. Henri denounced the attacker's actions as unchristian and attributed them to something deeply troubling within the assailant.