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A terror probe has been launched after a gunman killed at least three people and injured 12 others near Strasbourg Christmas Market.
The wounded were seen lying on the floor and desperately taking shelter as the market and nearby restaurants were evacuated.
Chilling videos capture terrified people cowering on the floor and running in fear.
Police armed with machine guns were seen running into Place Kleber.
The French prosecutor has said anti-terror cops are now investigating the incident, but a motive had not yet been confirmed.
The suspect was identified by police as Strasbourg-born Chekatt Cherif, 29.
The gunman, who is still at large, is known to France's internal security services as a suspected security risk.
He is said to be on a watch list of around 26,000 people, of whom 10,000 are believed to have been radicalised.
Cherif, who was reportedly born in Strasbourg, had been flagged as a suspected extremist, according to local media.
Grenades were found at the home of the suspected terrorist after he went on the run, said an investigating source
Seven of those injured are thought to be in a serious condition.
People have been warned to stay indoors by authorities and said they have cornered the suspect in the city centre. Shots have been fired, reports say.
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Witnesses have said online there are other people injured on the floor.
A BBC reporter says on Twitter a French journalist "saw soldiers shoot a man dead, who was reportedly targeting them."
Peter Fritz, a witness, said he found a person who had been shot, lying on a bridge. He told the BBC he tried to resuscitate him but the man died.
And Doris Manou told the BBC: "Earlier on I was walking around the Christmas market in central Strasbourg and I passed Place Kleber where the shooting took place just minutes before it happened.
"Then I continued walking on Rue du Dome when I saw the army with a group of 10-12 soldiers walking towards me with their guns pointed to the street and around them everyone was running from all directions.
"The soldiers were very focused on their mission, they were running."
The French Interior Ministry has confirmed a "serious public security incident" is ongoing.
In Neudorf, an area nearby, it is believed more gunshots we fired. There is also a heavy police presence, with military helicopters, there. Residents in this area have also been told to remain indoors.
It is thought the attack occurred at 7pm in the French city.
Emmanuel Foulon, a press officer for the European Parliament, wrote there was "panic" in the city centre following the sound of gunfire and police with guns were running through the streets.
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Emmanuel Macron, French President, has been kept informed of the incident, it is reported.
Theresa May said she was "shocked and saddened by the terrible attack."
British MEP Richard Corbett has tweeted: "Am in restaurant in centre of Strasbourg where shots fired with unconfirmed reports of 3 dead.
"Restaurant locked and not letting anyone in or out."
It's happened as the European Parliament are in the city for a crunch meeting.
MEP Martina Anderson, the Irish politician, has tweeted from the scene.
She said: "No confirmed reports but footage out of people on the ground injuries if not worse.
"My thoughts & prayers with all who are injured."
Malta MEP Roberta Metsola said she was in lockdown inside the European Parliament building.
Thorbjorn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, based in Strasbourg, wrote on Twitter: "The police informed me tonight of a shooting in Strasbourg with possibly one victim and several wounded.
"The perpetrator is still on the run.
"This is a serious incident and I advise all staff and visitors to stay at home or indoors for the moment."
Antonio Tajani, President of the European Paraliament, tweeted: "I express all my sorrow for the victims of the Strasbourg attacks. This Parliament will not be intimidated by terrorist or criminal attacks. Let us move on. We will continue to work and react strengthened by freedom and democracy against terrorist violence."
Strasbourg deputy mayor Alain Fontanel tweeted: "Shooting in downtown Strasbourg. Thank you all for staying home while waiting for a clarification of the situation."
A councillor has tweeted in French, which translates to: "We are prostrate in the dark because there would be gunshots on the side Grand Rue."
No Brits have been reported injured, the Foreign Office said.
Strasbourg's Christmas Market draws millions of tourists every year.
This breaking story is being regularly updated.
damnimsexy on December 11st, 2018 at 20:53 UTC »
I live 10 minutes from where this happened, lots of information on social media but apparently the shooter is in a house and the RAID will soon try to apprehend him.
From what we know it seems the shooter was "Fiché S" which means that it was known that he was a dangerous and radicalized person.
Update: Helicopter has been flying above the area the last 30 minutes, still unsure as if the shooter has been killed..
Update 2: Helicopter still flying, apparently the police searched the area where he was presumed to be and have found nothing.
Currently they are like 1km from where I stay and are looking at an other area where he might be hiding
This will be the last update from today, it is midnight, nothing new has come up and the helicopter is still flying around the area.
Earlier I would receive a lot of updates from friends of friends on social media but everything got a lot quieter as the night went by and the french tv media just keeps repeating themselves.
Hope the police catch the guy tonight.
Update: I stayed up until 3am and woke up today feeling confused. Helicopter was still flying around.
Currently Im at uni and class is not cancelled, schools and highschools are open.
We dont have a lot of information about the suspect yet, only a lot of he said she said.
Zodyac on December 11st, 2018 at 20:34 UTC »
I live ~50meters away from where it happened, heard around 10 gunshots and people running away.
People spent the last hour telling people they saw to go inside and get the fuck away
Vanikoro on December 11st, 2018 at 20:22 UTC »
1 dead and 9 injured were confirmed by the authorities. A man shot in the Christmas market.
21h25 CET:
The shooter is still on the run
1 dead and 10 injured ..
21h41
The authorities indicates to have identified the shooter.21h50
2 dead, 11 inujured, including 2 in absolute urgency.22h20
The previsional assessment is 13 victims (2 dead, 7 seriously injured, 4 minor injuries).22h40
At least 4 dead The shooter is classified radicalized An action is in progress where the shooter is hiding23h15
The police officers reviewed 3 buildings. The operation was unsuccessful. Research is ongoing.23h40 / 00h10
2 deaths, 6 7 serious injuries and 6 minor injuries.00h45
The shooter is on the run His home was searched and they found explosive materials, but he was not there.01h50
Time for me to go to sleep. No real evolution, the suspect is still missing, but the authorities are have lock down the area. At this time, 2 deaths have been confirmed
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