Terror returns to streets of Paris.

Islamic State claims one of its ‘soldiers’ was behind attack

An attacker with an automatic weapon opened fire on police in Paris’ ChampsElysees shopping district last night, killing one officer and wounding another two before police shot and killed him.

Islamic State said one of its “soldiers” had carried out the attack and named him as Belgian Abu Yusuf al-Beljiki.

Paris police spokeswoman Johanna Primevert said the attacker targeted officers guarding the area near the Franklin Roosevelt metro station at the centre of the avenue popular with tourists. She said he appeared to be acting alone.

French officials said the suspect in the attack was previously flagged as an extremist.

Emergency vehicles blocked the wide avenue that cuts across central Paris between the Arc de Triomphe and the Tuileries Garden, normally packed with cars and tourists. Police and soldiers sealed off the area, ordering tourists back into their hotels and blocking people from approaching the scene.

The Paris prosecutor’s office said counter terrorism investigators were involved in the probe.

A French government spokesman said the attacker used a “war weapon” to fire on the officers.

French Interior Ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet said on BFM television that a man came out of a car and opened fire on a police vehicle.

He said officers were “deliberately” targeted.

Speaking in Washington during a news conference with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, US President Donald Trump said the shooting in Paris “looks like another terrorist attack” and sent his condolences to France.

Looks like another terrorist attack. DONALD TRUMP

Above and below right: armed police deployed in the aftermath of the attack.