Strasbourg gunman on run after killings
STRASBOURG: A gunman on a security watchlist killed two people and wounded a dozen others near the picturesque Christmas market in the historic French city of Strasbourg on Tuesday evening (local time) before fleeing.
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said the shooter had evaded a police dragnet and was on the run, raising concerns of a followup attack.
‘‘The Government has raised its security threat to the highest level and is bolstering border controls,’’ Castaner said.
‘‘We will also reinforce security at all Christmas markets to prevent copycat attacks.’’
With France still on high alert after attacks commissioned or inspired by Islamic State militants since early 2015, the counterterrorism prosecutor opened an investigation.
Police identified the suspect as Strasbourgborn Cherif Chekatt (29), who was known to the intelligence services as a potential security risk.
Castaner said the gunman exchanged shots with security forces twice as he escaped. His whereabouts were unknown, and elite commandos and helicopters were involved in the manhunt.
The Paris prosecutor said the motive for the attack was not known. Noone immediately claimed responsibility, but the Site intelligence group, which monitors jihadist websites, said IS supporters were celebrating.
The attack began as stallholders prepared to close down and restaurants filled in the city, which sits across the Rhine River from Germany. Bystanders were swiftly ushered into nearby shops.
The European Parliament, sitting in Strasbourg this week, was put into lockdown.
On the opposite side of the Rhine River German police also tightened border controls.The suspect’s home had been raided earlier in the day in connection with a robbery during the summer, but he was not found there. — Reuters