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Paris shooting: Gunman was 'focus of anti-terror' probe | Paris shooting: Gunman was 'focus of anti-terror' probe |
(about 1 hour 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. | |
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. | |
Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said security forces, including elite units, were fully mobilised ahead of Sunday's presidential poll. | |
"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. | |
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 eyewitness later recounted scenes of panic as they ran for cover after hearing gunfire. | Terrified eyewitness 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. |
Because of its worldwide renown and its large number of visitors, the avenue has long been seen as a potential target, the BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris reports. | Because of its worldwide renown and its large number of visitors, the avenue has long been seen as a potential target, the BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris reports. |
Overnight, a property in the eastern Parisian suburb of Chelles was searched by investigators, who want to know who else - if anyone - may have known about the gunman's plans. | Overnight, a property in the eastern Parisian suburb of Chelles was searched by investigators, who want to know who else - if anyone - may have known about the gunman's plans. |
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". |
"I won't reveal it, because investigations and raids are already under way, in particular to establish whether there is any evidence or not of complicity [in this attack]," he said, adding that more information would be released on Friday. | |
According to French media, the attacker served several years in prison for firing on police officers with a gun in the early 2000s. | According to French media, the attacker served several years in prison for firing on police officers with a gun in the early 2000s. |
More recently the intelligence services identified him as a potential Islamist radical. | More recently the intelligence services identified him as a potential Islamist radical. |
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 11 candidates standing in Sunday's closely fought presidential election were engaged in a final joint TV appearance to argue their policies as the attack happened. | The 11 candidates standing in Sunday's closely fought presidential election were engaged in a final joint TV appearance to argue their policies as the attack happened. |
Marine Le Pen, of the far-right Front National, tweeted: "I feel for and stand by our security forces, who have been targeted again." | Marine Le Pen, of the far-right Front National, tweeted: "I feel for and stand by our security forces, who have been targeted again." |
Centre-right contender François Fillon also went on Twitter to pay "tribute to the security forces who give their lives to protect ours". | Centre-right contender François Fillon also went on Twitter to pay "tribute to the security forces who give their lives to protect ours". |
Independent centrist Emmanuel Macron said during his TV appearance that it was a president's "first duty to protect" and he expressed his "solidarity" with the police. | Independent centrist Emmanuel Macron said during his TV appearance that it was a president's "first duty to protect" and he expressed his "solidarity" with the police. |
Ms Le Pen, Mr Fillon and Mr Macron have announced they are cancelling campaign events scheduled for Friday, the last day of canvassing for votes. | Ms Le Pen, Mr Fillon and Mr Macron have announced they are cancelling campaign events scheduled for Friday, the last day of canvassing for votes. |
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, standing for the far left, tweeted: "I strongly feel for the policemen killed and wounded and their families. Terrorist attacks will never go unpunished, accomplices never forgotten." | Jean-Luc Mélenchon, standing for the far left, 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 |
What are your hopes? | What are your hopes? |
Election explained in five charts | Election explained in five charts |
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 politician and former Prime Minister François Fillon. | But anxious voters may turn, instead, to experienced conservative politician and 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 centrist Emmanuel Macron and Jean-Luc Mélenchon on the far left will be all too aware that few see them as foreign and security policy heavyweights. | It's hard to tell to what extent this attack will affect the outcome, but centrist Emmanuel Macron and Jean-Luc Mélenchon on the far left will be all too aware that few see them as foreign and security policy heavyweights. |
Islamist militancy is a major issue in the polls after recent mass attacks claimed by IS, with 238 people killed in jihadist attacks in France since 2015, according to data from AFP news agency. | Islamist militancy is a major issue in the polls after recent mass attacks claimed by IS, with 238 people killed in jihadist attacks in France since 2015, according to data from AFP news agency. |
French candidates in last TV pitch ahead of vote | French candidates in last TV pitch ahead of vote |
And how did the world react? | And how did the world react? |
At the White House, US President Donald Trump said people had to be strong and vigilant. | At the White House, US President Donald Trump said people had to be strong and vigilant. |
"Our condolences from our country to the people of France," he said. "It looks like another terrorist attack and... what can you say? It just never ends." | "Our condolences from our country to the people of France," he said. "It looks like another terrorist attack and... what can you say? It just never ends." |
In the UK, a Downing Street spokesman said: "The UK strongly condemns the appalling terrorist attack in Paris. The Prime Minister (Theresa May) has tonight passed on her condolences to President Hollande." | In the UK, a Downing Street spokesman said: "The UK strongly condemns the appalling terrorist attack in Paris. The Prime Minister (Theresa May) has tonight passed on her condolences to President Hollande." |
German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged to remain "strong and determined" alongside France. | German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged to remain "strong and determined" alongside 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 |