On Friday, Nov. 13, some friends and I were attending a friendly soccer match between France and Germany when a bomb went off. Friday, Nov. 13 marked a day of absolute tragedy.

At that moment, we did not realize that the explosion we heard was a terroristic bomb. As study abroad students from various universities across the United States, my friends and I innocently assumed that the sounds we heard were fireworks or cannons associated with the soccer match used for the purpose to boost the morale of the excited fans. We had no idea that the sounds we heard were the result of terrorist explosions outside of the stadium and the beginning of a night that will never be forgotten for the city of Paris, the country of France, and the rest of the world.

As the game progressed, we never thought we were in danger. The spectators, including myself, just assumed that the explosive sounds we heard were from fireworks somewhere above the stadium. It was not until near the end of the game that the crowds of 80,000 people realized what was actually happening throughout the city. Suddenly there was a flooding of mixed information from various news groups as we began to receive emergency alerts informing us of the acts of terrorism occurring in our immediate area and in central Paris. We discovered the truth that the “fireworks” we had heard in the first half of the game was actually a series of bombs. It was not until there were only ten minutes left in the game that people truly began to comprehend what was not only happening outside of the stadium but also occurring throughout various areas in the city of Paris. At that moment we knew that this was much bigger than anything we initially imagined. This was an organized terrorist attack on the city of lights.

According to BBC News , the attacks occurred in six different places throughout the capital of France. There were casualties due to gunfire at La Belle Equipe, Le Carillon bar, Le Petit Cambodge restaurant, La Casa Nostra restaurant, and Bataclan concert venue and there were casualties at Stade de France due to explosions. France has declared a national state of emergency and has tightened its borders after at least 128 people were killed and over 180 wounded in the attacks.

According to The New York Times, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks in the Paris. In a statement released by the Islamic State, the group declared “eight brothers wrapped in explosive belts and armed with machine rifles, targeted sites that were accurately chosen in the heart of the capital of France, including the Stade de France during the match between the Crusader German and French teams, where the fool of France, President Francois Hollande, was present.” The Islamic State declared a threat stating “France and those who walk in its path know that they will remain on the top of the list of targets of the Islamic State.”

The President of France, François Hollande, deemed the attacks throughout the city of Paris “an act of war that was committed by a terrorist army, a jihadist army, Daesh, against France.” He also stated, “This act of war was prepared and planned from the outside, with accomplices inside” and “France, because it was fouly, disgracefully and violently attacked, will be unforgiving with the barbarians from Daesh.”

This is an atrocious tragedy that has happened in one of the most beloved cities in the world and is the deadliest attack in France since World War II. There is no justification for acts of terrorism. Political ideology, personal motives, religious beliefs, or any other attempt to validate the violence has no legitimacy in the rationalization cold-blooded murder. This violent form of destruction is simply inexcusable. My heart and prayers go out to the city of Paris, the country of France, and any people affected by the horrific tragedies that occurred on Friday, Nov. 13. It will be a day that will never be forgotten.

Do not remember the terrorists that so cowardly executed their sins. Instead, remember the names of the victims who tragically lost their lives, the wounded as they go through physical and mental recovery, the families affected as they mourn for loved ones, the governmental officers that diligently ensured the safety of the city, and the strangers who helped each other when they needed help the most.

Remember Paris and the resolute strength that the city will further endure and know that no matter what forms of destruction or terror are thrust upon humanity, good will always prevail and evil shall be conquered ... #PrayForParis #PrayForPeace