A police officer is dead after gunshots rang out in Paris near the Champs-Elysées Thursday night, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV.
The officer was in a police van that was stopped at a red light near the Metro station when the shooter opened fire with an automatic weapon.
A robbery also took place at the same time as the fatal shooting in the area. Police are now investigating if the two are linked.
Both the Telegraph and BFMTV is reporting that the gunman who opened fire on the police officer has been “taken down” in the attack, but that there may have been another attacker.
Yvan Assioma of the police union Alliance has, however, confirmed at least one police officer and an attacker is dead.
“The exact circumstances are still unclear but I can confirm the tragic death of one of our colleagues,” Assioma said. “Our thoughts are very much with the family. One or several attackers have been shot dead by the police. Some officers were hit but the bullets were stopped by their bulletproof vests, but two were hit.”
BFMTV is also reporting one wounded officer was seriously injured as well as a bystander.
French police have also confirmed that the area of Champs Elysees is off-limits for now as an investigation continues.
“Police intervention underway in the area of the #ChampsElysees,” the tweet read. “Avoid the sector and follow the instructions of the police forces.”
Intervention de police en cours sur le secteur des #ChampsElysees Evitez le secteur et respectez les consignes des forces de police
— Préfecture de police (@prefpolice) April 20, 2017
This follows an earlier recommendation to avoid the area.
https://twitter.com/prefpolice/status/855135563959193601
Video taken by the media of the aftermath also shows police keeping people out of the area.
URGENT – #PARIS #Video #ChampsElysees Les policiers forcent les gens à aller plus loin.” #Paris #BreakingNews #Breaking #AlerteInfo pic.twitter.com/515DHRUKcI
— FranceNews24 (@FranceNews24) April 20, 2017
UPDATE: A second police officer has died and a third has been confirmed wounded.
BREAKING: 2nd police officer dies after shooting attack in Paris, police union says https://t.co/rTiCsouk6u
— BNO News (@BNONews) April 20, 2017
NEW: A 3rd police officer was also shot during the shooting attack in Paris, interior ministry says https://t.co/rTiCsouk6u
— BNO News (@BNONews) April 20, 2017
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