Suspect on a list of known security risks, say sources
BY BRADLEY JOLLY reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk A GUNMAN was cornered by police last night after killing at least four people and injuring eight others at a Christmas market in Strasbourg.
Police armed with machine guns were seen running into Place Kleber, the largest square in the centre of the French city, shortly after the incident began about 7pm local time.
The wounded were seen lying on the ground and desperately taking shelter as the market and nearby restaurants were evacuated.
Chilling videos captured terrified people cowering on the ground and running in fear.
Shots were said to have been fired after the gunman was cornered last night.
Local authorities said he was a 29-year-old with a criminal record. He was known to France’s security services as a suspected security risk.
No motive was given for the attack but local media, quoting police sources, said the gunman’s home in the city had been searched that day in connection with a robbery. The man was not there but grenades were found.
People were told to stay indoors while the gunman was on the loose.
France’s president Emmanuel Macron was briefed and police in nearby Germany said they are strengthening controls at the border.
Peter Fritz told the BBC that he heard gunfire and found a person who had been shot,
lying on a bridge. He said he could not resuscitate the man.
The European Parliament is currently sitting in the city.
A press officer for the parliament, said there was “panic” in the city centre as police with guns ran through the streets.
Labour MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber, Linda McAvan, tweeted: “There’s a shooting incident tonight in Strasbourg centre where Xmas market takes place. European Parliament on lockdown.”
Northern Irish MEP Martina Anderson said: “We had just been walking away from the market down a street deciding what restaurant to go to and suddenly it was pandemonium.
“I heard the first shot and thought it was fireworks.
“I didn’t initially think shots, then there was another one, and another one. I knew then, obviously with growing up in the Bogside [in Derry].
“We were running in the other direction, telling people to run back and get back.
“There were people coming out of apartments and hotels, one woman came out with a child. I told her to go back in.”
Strasbourg’s Christmas market is one of the oldest in Europe and attracts millions of visitors.
Europe’s Christmas markets have been targeted by terrorists before.
Two years ago, a truck was driven into the Christmas market next to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, leaving 12 dead and 56 others injured.
Anis Amri, a failed asylum seeker from Tunisia, was behind the attack.
A follower of Isis, he was killed four days later in a shootout in Milan.
Prime Minister Theresa May last night said she was “shocked and saddened” by the “terrible” attack in Strasbourg.
She tweeted: “My thoughts are with all of those affected and with the French people.”