Gunman opens fire near Christmas market in Strasbourg, killing 2

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By BNO NEWS

A gunman has opened fire near a Christmas market in the French city of Strasbourg, killing at least two people and injuring 12 others, officials and witnesses say. It is being treated as an act of terrorism.

The attack began at about 8 p.m. local time on Tuesday when a man opened fire in the city center, where one of Europe’s biggest Christmas markets is taking place. People were seen running and screaming in video shared on social media.

A statement from the local government said 2 people were killed and 12 others are injured, including 6 people who suffered serious injuries. French media, however, put the death toll at 4.

The suspect, who was later identified as a 29-year-old local man, was able to flee the scene. He was already known to intelligence services and was on a watchlist as a possible security risk, according to the Reuters news agency.

The suspect was not in custody as of 11:40 p.m. and people in the area are urged to shelter in place until further notice. Transportation has been shut down and the seat of the European Parliament was put on lockdown.

A motive for the attack was not immediately known, but investigators are treating it as an act of terrorism. French media reported that police tried to arrest the suspect earlier on Tuesday and grenades were found at his home.

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