Masked gunmen attacked Paris-based satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo after they published a caricature of the prophet Muhammad. Economist, novelist, and deputy editor of the magazine Bernard Maris, 68, was targeted and died along with 11 others. Maris wrote a column for Charlie Hebdo under the pen name Uncle Bernard.

Eddy Galstad ’16 reflects on the catastrophe, “I think overall this is really a tragedy. It’s hard to see death in any situation, but really disturbing that the attack was because of a freedom we enjoy[freedom of speech/press]. Because one of the victims had ties to Iowa City, it makes this attack more real, and far less distant,” she said. “It’s just so sad to see this happen.”

As for his connection to Iowa City, UI officials report that Maris taught microeconomics at the UI College of Business as a visiting assistant professor of economics during the fall semester of 1981.

According to French officials, the country has raised its security alert to the highest level, saying that one man sought in the Wednesday’s attack has turned himself in to police and two other suspects — identified as Cherif Kouachi and Said Kouachi — remain at large.