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Paris shooting: Gunman was 'focus of anti-terror' probe | Paris shooting: Gunman was 'focus of anti-terror' probe |
(35 minutes later) | |
The gunman who shot dead a policeman in Paris on Thursday has been identified from papers left in his car, but French officials are yet to release his name. | The gunman who shot dead a policeman in Paris on Thursday has been identified from papers left in his car, but French officials are yet to release his name. |
Local media say the 39-year-old lived in the city's suburbs, and had been seen as a potential Islamist radical. | Local media say the 39-year-old lived in the city's suburbs, and had been seen as a potential Islamist radical. |
The gunman wounded two police officers before being shot dead by security forces on the Champs Elysees. | The gunman wounded two police officers before being shot dead by security forces on the Champs Elysees. |
A pump-action shotgun and knives were found in his car, the French TV station BFMTV reported. | A pump-action shotgun and knives were found in his car, the French TV station BFMTV reported. |
Another man suspected of possible links to the attack has turned himself in to Belgian police. | Another man suspected of possible links to the attack has turned himself in to Belgian police. |
French police have also taken three family members of the gunman into custody, Reuters reports, citing a legal source. | French police have also taken three family members of the gunman into custody, Reuters reports, citing a legal source. |
Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said security forces, including elite units, were fully mobilised ahead of Sunday's presidential elections. | Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said security forces, including elite units, were fully mobilised ahead of Sunday's presidential elections. |
"Nothing must be allowed to impede the fundamental democratic process of our country," he said after an emergency security cabinet meeting. | "Nothing must be allowed to impede the fundamental democratic process of our country," he said after an emergency security cabinet meeting. |
So-called Islamic State (IS) has said one of its "fighters" carried out the attack. | So-called Islamic State (IS) has said one of its "fighters" carried out the attack. |
What happened on Thursday on the Champs Elysees? | What happened on Thursday on the Champs Elysees? |
A car pulled up alongside a police bus just before 21:00 (19:00 GMT) and a man got out, opening fire on the bus with an automatic weapon, Interior Ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet said. | A car pulled up alongside a police bus just before 21:00 (19:00 GMT) and a man got out, opening fire on the bus with an automatic weapon, Interior Ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet said. |
After killing an officer, the man attempted to run away while shooting at other officers, two of whom he injured, the spokesman added. | After killing an officer, the man attempted to run away while shooting at other officers, two of whom he injured, the spokesman added. |
He was then shot dead by security forces. | He was then shot dead by security forces. |
Terrified eyewitnesses later recounted scenes of panic as they ran for cover after hearing gunfire. | |
The whole of the Champs Elysees was evacuated. | The whole of the Champs Elysees was evacuated. |
What is known about the attacker? | What is known about the attacker? |
Paris prosecutor François Molins said shortly after the shootings that "the attacker's identity is known and has been verified". | Paris prosecutor François Molins said shortly after the shootings that "the attacker's identity is known and has been verified". |
Belgium's interior minister has told VRT public broadcaster that the gunman was a French national. | Belgium's interior minister has told VRT public broadcaster that the gunman was a French national. |
French media have named him as Karim Cheurfi, although this has not been officially confirmed. | French media have named him as Karim Cheurfi, although this has not been officially confirmed. |
Mr Cheufi was convicted in the early 2000s of attempted murder in the shooting of two police officers and served several years in prison. | Mr Cheufi was convicted in the early 2000s of attempted murder in the shooting of two police officers and served several years in prison. |
More recently the intelligence services identified him as a potential Islamist radical, French media say. | More recently the intelligence services identified him as a potential Islamist radical, French media say. |
Police have carried out searches at an address in the Paris suburb of Chelles overnight. | Police have carried out searches at an address in the Paris suburb of Chelles overnight. |
Meanwhile, IS named the attacker as Abu-Yusuf al-Baljiki, in a statement carried by its Amaq news outlet. | Meanwhile, IS named the attacker as Abu-Yusuf al-Baljiki, in a statement carried by its Amaq news outlet. |
Could the attack influence the elections? | Could the attack influence the elections? |
The attack took place as the 11 candidates in Sunday's tight presidential election race were engaged in a final joint TV appearance to argue their policies. | |
Three of the four main candidates, centrist Emmanuel Macron, centre-right François Fillon and far-right Marine Le Pen, called off planned events on Friday, which would have been the final day of campaigning. | |
National Front (FN) candidate Marine Le Pen said in a press conference that France should immediately reinstate border checks and expel foreigners who are on security watch lists. | |
Mr Fillon said the fight against "Islamist totalitarianism" should be the next president's priority, calling for better co-operation between world powers. He said he would boost the security services, review the penal code and isolate radical prisoners. | |
Meanwhile, Mr Macron urged French citizens not to "give in to fear". "What they want is a collapse in morality, what they want is to watch us fall into ruin," he said. | |
After the attack, far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon tweeted: "I strongly feel for the policemen killed and wounded and their families. Terrorist attacks will never go unpunished, accomplices never forgotten." | |
Who are the candidates? | Who are the candidates? |
French election quick guide | French election quick guide |
Election explained in five charts | Election explained in five charts |
French candidates in last TV pitch | French candidates in last TV pitch |
Analysis by BBC's Europe editor Katya Adler | Analysis by BBC's Europe editor Katya Adler |
It would easy to assume that Marine Le Pen - so outspoken about security, migration and Islamic fundamentalism - could benefit at the ballot box. | It would easy to assume that Marine Le Pen - so outspoken about security, migration and Islamic fundamentalism - could benefit at the ballot box. |
But anxious voters may turn, instead, to experienced conservative former Prime Minister François Fillon. | |
Up until now, four candidates were almost neck-and-neck in the lead in the polls with millions of voters still undecided about who to vote for. | Up until now, four candidates were almost neck-and-neck in the lead in the polls with millions of voters still undecided about who to vote for. |
It's hard to tell to what extent this attack will affect the outcome, but Emmanuel Macron and Jean-Luc Mélenchon will be all too aware that few see them as foreign and security policy heavyweights. | |
Recent terror attacks in France | |
Were you in the area when the shooting took place? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Were you in the area when the shooting took place? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |