The offices of a Paris-based satirical magazine called Charlie Hebdo were attacked today by an unknown number of gunmen.
The attackers were heard shouting "Allahu Akbar," an Islamic phrase meaning "God is great."
It is believed that the gunmen are members of an extremist Islamic sect and were upset by the magazine’s publication of cartoons featuring the prophet Mohammed.
A French radio report claims that one of the attackers was heard shouting "the prophet was avenged."
Details are scarce at this time, but it’s been confirmed that at least 12 were killed and 10 wounded in the attacks.
Among the dead are four cartoonists, as well as the magazine’s editor-in-chief, Stephane Charbonnier.
The gunmen fled in a waiting car and quickly switched vehicles following the attack. A massive manhunt is currently underway which has caused much of Paris to be shut down.
The White House and dozens of leaders worldwide have already issued statements condemning the attack and offering assistance to French authorities.
The incident comes just weeks after a similar, but far less deadly attack in Sydney, Australia left two dead after a tense hostage stand-off. The gunmen in that attack were determined to be Islamic extremists as well.