A police operation is underway in an area around Strasbourg Cathedral after a gunman killed three people and wounded 13 more at a Christmas market hours earlier, Reuters reports.
A witness at the scene told Reuters that an area where shots had been fired Tuesday night was being actively secured by police.
Hundreds of French police are taking part in a manhunt to locate Cherif Chekatt, 29, a Strasbourg native who is believed to be the gunman who carried out the attack. Five other people have been detained in connection with the shooting, according to French authorities.
Chekatt had been placed on a terror watch list and was known to intelligence services as a potential security threat. He had previously served prison sentences in both France and Germany. According to the Daily Mail, Chekatt was sentenced to two years in prison in 2011 for a knife attack on a 16-year-old.
Also on rt.com Strasbourg shooting: 3 killed, 13 injured in terrorist attack on Christmas market (VIDEO)The Christmas market attack came hours after police attempted to arrest Chekatt at his home on charges of armed robbery – but the suspect was nowhere to be found. Police did however find a grenade.
Chekatt was armed with a handgun and a knife when he carried out the shooting. He fled the scene after exchanging gunfire with security forces and is believed to be wounded. No motive has been established for the attack.
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Source : RT - Daily news
Police op underway in area around Strasbourg Cathedral – Reuters
Police op underway in area around Strasbourg Cathedral – Reuters
