This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-43518769

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
France hostage crisis: Police shoot supermarket gunman France hostage crisis: Police shoot supermarket gunman
(35 minutes later)
Armed police have shot a suspect who took hostages at a supermarket in the southern French town of Trèbes. Armed police have killed a suspect who shot dead three people dead in a shooting spree in southern France.
The gunman, who is reported to have killed three people, is now dead, said government sources. The gunman hijacked a car and then took hostages at a supermarket in the town of Trèbes.
Reports say the gunman, believed to be Moroccan, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group. The man, named by ministers as 26-year-old Redouane Lakdim, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.
He is believed to have killed and wounded his victims in three separate incidents which began in Carcassonne, 15 minutes' drive from Trèbes.He is believed to have killed and wounded his victims in three separate incidents which began in Carcassonne, 15 minutes' drive from Trèbes.
There, he reportedly hijacked a car, killing one passenger and injuring the driver. He was said to have been heavily armed and demanding the release of Salah Abdeslam, the most important surviving suspect in the 13 November 2015 attacks in Paris, which killed 130 people.
He also shot and wounded a policeman who was jogging with colleagues in Carcassonne.
The suspect is then believed to have driven to Trèbes, where he took hostages in the Super-U supermarket in the small town.
He is said to have been heavily armed and demanding the release of Salah Abdeslam, the most important surviving suspect in the 13 November 2015 attacks in Paris, which killed 130 people.
Reports say the suspect was known to French intelligence services and that his mother is at the scene.
A security source told French news agency AFP that most employees and customers at the supermarket "managed to flee".
Earlier, Prime Minister Édouard Philippe said that all signs pointed towards a "terrorist act".Earlier, Prime Minister Édouard Philippe said that all signs pointed towards a "terrorist act".
How did events unfold?
The attacker began his spree of attacks in Carcassonne, say reports, where he first hijacked a car, killing one passenger and injuring the driver.
He then shot and wounded a policeman who was jogging with colleagues.
The suspect is then believed to have driven a few kilometres to Trèbes, where he charged in, shouting, "I am a soldier of Daesh [Islamic State]!" and took hostages in the Super-U supermarket in the small town.
Hundreds of police officers were deployed to the area and the vicinity was cordoned off.Hundreds of police officers were deployed to the area and the vicinity was cordoned off.
Counter-terrorism prosecutors are leading the investigation but few details have been provided. A 45-year-old gendarme volunteered to swap himself for one of the hostages, say reports. He left his mobile phone line open during the operation so police could monitor the situation, Interior Minister Gérard Collomb told reporters.
When police heard gunshots on the phone line, they charged in to take control of the situation, during which the gunman was killed.
The gendarme, a lieutenant-colonel - who has been described by ministers as a hero - was reportedly injured.
What has the reaction been?
The Moroccan suspect was known to French intelligence services, said Mr Collomb.
"He was known for petty crimes. We had monitored him and thought there was no radicalisation," he said, according to Reuters news agency.
Counter-terrorism prosecutors are leading the investigation.
France has been hit with several deadly jihadist attacks since 2015 and has been on high alert since. A state of emergency put in place after the 2015 attacks in Paris was lifted in October.France has been hit with several deadly jihadist attacks since 2015 and has been on high alert since. A state of emergency put in place after the 2015 attacks in Paris was lifted in October.
In February, Salah Abdeslam went on trial in Belgium over a shootout in Brussels that led to his capture months after the Paris attacks. He is not expected to go on trial in France until 2020 at the earliest.In February, Salah Abdeslam went on trial in Belgium over a shootout in Brussels that led to his capture months after the Paris attacks. He is not expected to go on trial in France until 2020 at the earliest.
Major terror attacks in FranceMajor terror attacks in France
Are you in the area? Have you witnessed what has happened? If it is safe to share your experience please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in the area? Have you witnessed what has happened? If it is safe to share your experience please email 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 belowOr use the form below