Loud Noise Causes Panic In Paris Days After Attacks

PARIS, FRANCE (CBSNewYork) -- Paris was a city of many moods Sunday night, as life returned to streets that emptied after Friday's terror.

We didn't have the courage to get out due to fear, so we just gathered around together as a family but today I think things need to get back to normal," Paris resident Stephanie Tamhoua told WLNY TV 10/55's Tony Aiello.

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At the Place de la Republique in the center of the city, police reinforcements arrived to keep watch. As a large crowd gathered, there were many somber faces, and tears glistening in the eyes that stared at a glowing tribute to the victims.

But then, panic struck as a loud noise sent hundreds of patrons running into local restaurants in fear of another attack.

Aiello was on the scene when the incident occurred.

"If it was fire crackers, if it was the backfire of a vehicle driving by, I didn't hear it," Aiello said.

Aiello and his colleague grabbed their equipment and ran to the back of the square towards a nearby police station.

"I think it speaks to how Paris, a city in mourning, is very much also a city on edge," Aiello said.

According to Aiello, people began filtering back into the square five or six minutes later.

Some policeman just told us just run, run away and we just all ran here," one woman told Aiello.

Bergen County College student Gelline de Guzman, who is studying abroad, was at the soccer stadium when police stopped a suicide bomber from entering. The attacker blew himself up outside.

PHOTOS: France, World Mourn Deadly Paris Terror Attacks

Friday night I was so shaken, everyone was running everywhere we went," de Guzman said. "This whole entire weekend, all I keep thinking was if that bomb was any bigger, if that guy got into the stadium, would I even be here right now?"

In Brooklyn, hundreds of people of all different faiths gathered together to pray for the victims in a candlelight vigil at St. Agnes Church, while the NYPD and New Jersey police increased security in heavily trafficked areas.