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Paris Champs Elysees shooting: Gunman was 'focus of anti-terror' probe Paris Champs Elysees shooting: Gunman was 'focus of anti-terror' probe
(about 2 hours 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 reports.A pump-action shotgun and knives were found in his car, the French TV station BFMTV reports.
French media named the man as Karim Cheurfi, 39, from the eastern Paris suburb of Chelles.
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 detained three members of the gunman's family, Reuters news agency reports, citing a legal source.French police have detained three members of the gunman's family, Reuters news agency reports, citing a legal source.
Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said security forces, including elite units, were fully mobilised ahead of Sunday's presidential election.Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said security forces, including elite units, were fully mobilised ahead of Sunday's presidential election.
"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.
On Friday the main candidates were quick to urge tough action against Islamist terrorism but cancelled the final rallies they had planned.On Friday the main candidates were quick to urge tough action against Islamist terrorism but cancelled the final rallies they had planned.
Mr Cazeneuve, a Socialist, accused two of the frontrunners - far-right candidate Marine Le Pen and conservative François Fillon - of exploiting the attack for electoral gain. He scorned Ms Le Pen for linking the attack to immigration.Mr Cazeneuve, a Socialist, accused two of the frontrunners - far-right candidate Marine Le Pen and conservative François Fillon - of exploiting the attack for electoral gain. He scorned Ms Le Pen for linking the attack to immigration.
The shooting is a shocking event that will certainly be on voters' minds on Sunday, the BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says.The shooting is a shocking event that will certainly be on voters' minds on Sunday, the BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says.
What happened on the Champs Elysees?What happened 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, Xavier Jugelé, 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. Terrified eyewitnesses later recounted scenes of panic as they ran for cover.
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 was known and had been verified.Paris prosecutor François Molins said shortly after the shootings that the attacker's identity was known and had been verified.
Belgium's interior minister told VRT public broadcaster that the gunman was a French national.Belgium's interior minister told VRT public broadcaster that the gunman was a French national.
The man named by French media as Karim Cheurfi was convicted in the early 2000s of attempted murder in the shooting of two police officers and served several years in prison. The man, named by French media as Karim Cheurfi, 39, from the eastern Paris suburb of Chelles, 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 Islamic radical, French media say.More recently the intelligence services identified him as a potential Islamic radical, French media say.
Police searched an address in the suburb of Chelles overnight. Police searched an address in 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.
How can individuals commit authorities if they are known to authorities?
The French security services are aware of thousands of individuals with links to, or sympathies for, international terrorism.
But how to monitor them comes down to a constantly shifting balancing act between resources and priorities, says BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner.
Until one of those individuals actually breaks the law by commissioning, instigating or preparing a terrorist plot it is hard to take them off the streets, let alone convict them.
Watching somebody around the clock, both digitally and physically, is hugely resource intensive, so the watchers focus on those considered most dangerous. In this way, others considered more minor players are sometimes able to slip through the surveillance net, with fatal consequences, he says.
Could the attack influence the election?Could the attack influence the election?
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.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 - Mr Fillon, Ms Le Pen and centrist Emmanuel Macron - called off planned events on Friday. It would easy to assume that Marine Le Pen - so outspoken about security, migration and Islamic fundamentalism - could benefit at the ballot box, says BBC Europe editor Katya Adler.
National Front (FN) candidate Marine Le Pen said in a press conference that France should immediately reinstate border checks and expel foreigners on security watch lists. But anxious voters may turn, instead, to experienced conservative former Prime Minister François Fillon.
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. Emmanuel Macron and Jean-Luc Mélenchon will be all too aware that few see them as foreign and security policy heavyweights.
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 guideFrench election quick guide
Election explained in five chartsElection explained in five charts
French candidates in last TV pitchFrench candidates in last TV pitch
How voters may be swayed: analysis by BBC 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.
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.
It is 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 FranceRecent 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.
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