An attack on the Paris offices of a satirical newspaper on Wednesday has left at least 12 people dead and sent France into high alert.
Three heavily armed gunmen stormed the offices of weekly Charlie Hebdo, killing 10 members of the staff as well as two policemen.
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Known for its controversial political cartoons, Charlie Hebdo has been a target of terrorism in the past, but never at this scale or level of brutality.
Journalists and onlookers at the scene captured the horrific attack and its aftermath. Their photos show a shocked and saddened Paris, reeling from the worst mass killing it has seen in decades.
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Armed gunmen face police officers near the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris on January 7, 2015.
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An injured person is evacuated outside the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo's office, in Paris, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015.
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French Justice Minister Christiane Taubira reacts outside of the headquarters of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris on January 7, 2015.
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A photo taken on January 7, 2015 shows a police car riddled with bullets during an attack on the offices of the newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris.
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French police officers and forensic experts examine the car used by armed gunmen who stormed the Paris offices of satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 people, on January 7, 2015 in Paris.
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French far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon (R) reacts outside of the headquarters of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris on January 7, 2015, after armed gunmen stormed the offices leaving twelve dead.
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French President Francois Hollande, center, flanked with security forces arrives outside the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo's office, in Paris, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015.
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French former Youth and Associations Junior minister Jeannette Bougrab (C) is comforted by an unidentified person outside of the headquarters of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris on January 7, 2015.
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People hug each other outside the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo's office, in Paris, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015.
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Police officers take security measures near the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris on January 7, 2015.
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Ambulances and police gather at Charlie Hebdo offices after a deadly attack on the french satirical magazine on January 7, 2015 in Paris, France.