Twelve people in Paris are dead and an additional eight are injured after two hooded, heavily-armed men burst into the offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and opened fire there.

Although investigators do not know the origin of the attackers,during the attack, it is reported that they hollered “God is great!” in Arabic, as well as “We have avenged the prophet!”  After several minutes of gunfire from Kalashnikov sub-machine-guns, the unidentified terrorists fled the building, got into a brief battle with police and then entered a black Citroen C3, leaving the scene. It is unknown if the vehicle was simply hi-jacked, or if it was driven by an accomplice.

Two of the victims of fatal wounds were police officers. Four of the newspapers best-known cartoonists were also kiled in the horrific attack, Tignous, Wolinski, Cabu and Charb.

Reports are coming out that police are examining a vehicle fitting that description on the outskirts of Paris.

Charlie Hebdo is known for it satirical cartoons that included  depictions of christianity as well as Islamic figures including Mohammed. The magazine is no stranger to controversy, in 2011 the office was set ablaze the day that a satire on Islamic law was to be published.

France’s president, Francois Hollands tweeted, “No barbarous act will ever extinguish freedom of the press.”

President Obama condemned the attack and offered the assistance of the U.S. Obama stated, “France, and the great city of Paris where this outrageous attack took place, offer the world a timeless example that will endure well beyond the hateful vision of these killers.”

Russian president, Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to President Hollande saying, “We decisively condemn this cynical crime. We reaffirm our readiness to continue active cooperation in combating the threat of terrorism.”

“Egypt stands by France in confronting terrorism, an international phenomenon that targets the world’s security and stability and which requires coordinated international efforts to eradicate,” said Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

France’s alert level has been raised to its highest level after the attacks.

  attack, charlie hebdo, fatalities, france, gunmen, paris