- This news is breaking: more to follow
Several people were injured during a knife rampage in Marseille this afternoon, before police shot the suspected attacker dead.
At least one of the four reported victims was taken to hospital in critical condition, according to local media.
The incident happened on the terrace of a fast food restaurant in Bouches-du-Rhône, in Marseille’s 1st arrondissement.
A witness said he saw a man with ‘two large butcher knives’ at the scene on Tuesday afternoon.
French outlet BFMTV reported that the man was seen with an iron bar and two knives.
Graphic footage of the incident appeared to show police shooting the suspect several times outside a Turkish restaurant.
One witness said police ‘tried to arrest [the perpetrator]’ before ‘the man tried to attack a police officer with a knife’.
‘The officer shouted “stop, stop” before hearing gunfire.’
One source told the Le Figaro that the suspect was a Tunisian national who was under judicial supervision and prohibited from carrying a weapon.
The alleged perpetrator was said to have been known to local authorities. A motive for the attack was unclear.
Sources told Le Figaro that the perpetrator had clashed with staff at a hotel where he was said to have stopped paying for his accommodation.
The hotel manager and a guest were said to be among those injured in the fracas, before the perpetrator went into the street and threatened police officers.
French outlet BFMTV reported that the man was seen with an iron bar and two knives
Police shot the suspect dead near a fast food restaurant in Bouches-du-Rhône, Marseille
Police and firefighters were deployed to the scene and had set up a security perimeter by 4pm local time.
Umbrellas belonging to the restaurant were initially put out to cover the bodies while investigators worked on the scene. .
The suspect was reportedly hit with an electric shock pistol before being shot.
All victims were injured by a long knife and treated by emergency services, Le Figaro reports.
The suspect, who has not been named, was identified only as a Tunisian national and legal resident of France by BFMTV.
Local public transport services were suspended due to the attack.
La Provence described the site of the incident as a ‘stone’s throw’ from the Old Port of Marseille.
The National Police in Bouches-du-Rhône have not yet officially commented on the incident.
Interior minister Bruno Retailleau is expected to report to Marseille’s police station over the attack this evening.
Sources told Le Figaro the man stabbed a hotel manager and a guest before going out into the street and threatening police officers
The man was reportedly subdued with a stun gun before being shot by police
