Terror hits France: Horrific terrorist attack leaves 12 dead

Two gunmen, suspected to be part of Al Qaeda, stormed French magazine office killing 12 people

Two hooded gunmen, shouting Islamic phrases into the air, attacked the offices of French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, killing 11 people. Among those killed were the editor, Stephane Charbonnier and four cartoonists whose work often depicted the Prophet Mohammed in controversial cartoons.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Armed with Kalashnikovs, the gunmen forced Cartoonist Corine Rey, at gunpoint, to allow the men in the building, according to the weekly Humanite.

"It lasted about five minutes," cried Rey according to France24. "I took cover under a desk. They spoke perfect French... they said they were Al Qaeda"

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According to witnesses, the attackers were heard shouting "Allahu Akbar," meaning "God is great."

One of the attackers shouted "prophet was avenged," according to French Europe 1 radio.

After gunning down the magazine office, the two gunmen reportedly walked calmly away from what police described as "carnage," exchanged fire with police officers, got in their vehicle and drove away, later abandoning the car.

"France raised its security alert to the highest level and reinforced security at houses of worship, stores, media offices and transportation," according to USA Today.

French President Francois Hollande marked the attack as "undoubtedly a terrorist attack," and admitted several other terror attacks had been stopped in weeks prior.

According to reports, Charbonnier had been in a very public feud with ISIS on the eve of the attack.

President Obama stated, the U.S. will "provide any assistance needed to help bring these terrorists to justice."

This may be the deadliest attack on French soil since 1995's wave of train bombings, according to USA Today.

France's terror alert level is raised to the highest level, according to Hollande.

"We need to find the actors of this terrorist act," Hollande said to CNN Paris. "They must be arrested and brought before judges and condemned as quickly as possible. France is shocked today."

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In addition to the 12 dead, eight people were wounded, including four in critical condition, Interior Minister Berenard Cazeneuve said to CNN Paris.

"No barbarous act will ever extinguish freedom of the press," Hollande exclaimed. "We are a united country."

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