84 Dead in Nice Attack

On Thursday, July 14, as people in Nice, France, were celebrating Bastille Day, their national holiday, a truck plowed through the crowd killing at least 84 people and injuring 50, who are now described by French President Francois Hollande as “between life and death.”

According to BBC, the truck barged through a barricade and drove down an off-limits road as police followed and tried to tell the driver to stop. The truck sped up and swerved to each side of the road seemingly trying to hit as many people as possible. The driver also shot police as he was driving, according to one witness.

The truck drove for about 2km (1.2 miles) before being shot down by police.

According to CNN, the driver has been identified as Mohamad Lahouaiej Bouhel and it is unclear whether he acted alone.

President Hollande announced a three-day mourning for the people of France.

#Nice. #France @courierjournal pic.twitter.com/iMSSPdooc4

— Marc Murphy (@MurphyCartoons) July 15, 2016

“We have an enemy who is going to continue to strike all the people, all the countries who have freedom as a fundamental value,” Hollande told reporters.

He goes on to describe why he thinks Nice was a target.

“‘Why Nice? Because it’s a town famous across the world, (a) beautiful town, one of the most beautiful (in the world). Why the 14th of July? Because it was Bastille Day, celebrating freedom,” CNN reported.

Many children were among the dead, including 11-year-old American citizen Brodie Copeland and his father Sean from Lakeway, Texas, reports NBC.

“We are heartbroken and in shock over the loss of Brodie Copeland, an amazing son and brother who lit up our lives, and Sean Copeland, a wonderful husband and father,” the family said in a statement.

So far, no terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

I don't pray, I don't #PrayForNice, #JeNeSuisPas.
I make cartoons and feel helpless. Again and again. #Nice #Nice06 pic.twitter.com/LRaLtx9gFa

— Ruben L. Oppenheimer (@RLOppenheimer) July 14, 2016