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One dead in attack at French retired missionaries' home Suspect held over attack at French retired missionaries' home
(about 9 hours later)
French police are hunting for a man who burst into a retirement home for former missionaries before tying up and stabbing a woman to death. A former soldier, suspected of stabbing a woman to death in a retirement home for former missionaries, has been arrested in France.
The attack, which happened late on Thursday, is not linked to Islamist militancy, a prosecutor said. The suspect used to work at the home, near Montpellier, a source close to the investigation told AFP news agency.
Christophe Barret said investigators believed it was a "local" crime and have identified a suspect. Prosecutor Christophe Barret said the motive was not clear but it was not linked to "Islamist terrorism".
France remains in a formal state of emergency since a wave of terrorist attacks last year.France remains in a formal state of emergency since a wave of terrorist attacks last year.
The assailant was reportedly armed with a shotgun and a knife when he entered the home in Montferrier-sur-Lez, near the southern city of Montpellier. The suspect, 47, was arrested near his home, about 10 miles (15km) from Montferrier-sur-Lez, the town where the attack was carried out.
Residents of the home "are very elderly with an average age of 75 although some are over 90," a local councillor said, adding that many need assistance to walk. He worked at the home several years ago, and is now unemployed, the source said.
Witnesses said the assailant was armed with a shotgun and a knife when he entered the home on Thursday night.
A nurse raised the alarm after escaping from the home but when police arrived they found the body of the dead woman gagged and tied up outside the building.A nurse raised the alarm after escaping from the home but when police arrived they found the body of the dead woman gagged and tied up outside the building.
The suspect had fled and is still at large despite the efforts of search teams including a helicopter. The 54-year-old woman, who worked in the home, has not been named.
Mr Barret said that the suspect is believed to be someone who has links to the home. He has not been named. The home caters for former missionaries with past service in Africa, as well as several nuns.
Police have also searched a suspicious vehicle nearby and found an airgun. Residents "are very elderly with an average age of 75 although some are over 90", a local councillor said, adding that many need assistance to walk.