Strasbourg, the home of the European Parliament, is on lockdown and streets around the city center are blocked off as police hunt for a shooter who opened fire near the city’s famed Christmas market, which began in 1570 and is the oldest known Christmas market in Europe.
French press are reporting four dead and eleven injured in the shooting.
#Strasbourg shooting: Eyewitness tells us he tried to resuscitate Thai tourist shot by gunman. pic.twitter.com/sXZuDDD5et
— BBC Newshour (@BBCNewshour) December 11, 2018
Multiple news agencies are reporting that the shooting is now being considered a terrorist attack by French prosecutors.
PARIS (AP) — #France prosecutor's office says terror investigation opened in #Strasbourg shooting.
— Matt Lee (@APDiploWriter) December 11, 2018
French media is reporting that the shooter, identified as 29-year-old Cherif Chekkat, a French national of Moroccan descent, remains at large.
#Strasbourg pic.twitter.com/yQFnsvFKeE
— Jonathan Humblot (@Jonathan17430) December 11, 2018
A statement by local French police says the shooter is from the notorious Neuhof neighborhood, a hub of Islamist radicalization and a known “no-go” zone.
It also states that he was categorized on their terror watch list as “fiche-S,” meaning known to be a radicalized militant.
#RT pic.twitter.com/XApYWW8pIU
— Préfète de la région Grand Est et du Bas-Rhin (@Prefet67) December 11, 2018
Media reports indicate that the suspect avoided police that were serving an arrest warrant on him this morning, and that grenades were found at his home.
The French Interior Ministry has directed residents to remain inside their homes and to not travel outdoors while the gunman is sought.
🔴 Événement grave de sécurité publique en cours à #Strasbourg. Les habitants sont invités à rester chez eux. Plus d'informations à venir, suivez les consignes des autorités. pic.twitter.com/5t7offxqQ0
— Ministère de l'Intérieur – Alerte (@Beauvau_Alerte) December 11, 2018
#Breaking | Policeman heard shouting "get in the shelter, terrorist!". "Not confirmed" Reports of more than one shooter according to police in #Strasbourg in #France pic.twitter.com/NfKDIPfK3k
— NOW News (@NOWNews18) December 11, 2018
The following video shows people fleeing the area and what appears to be one of the shooting victims:
Arrivano notizie sconvolgenti da #Strasburgo. Si parla di una sparatoria in un mercatino di Natale con morti e feriti. Terribile. Solidarietà al popolo francese. #Strasbourg pic.twitter.com/dM8zQGqdx9
— Enza Bruno Bossio (@enzabrunobossio) December 11, 2018
Since the terror attack on the Christmas market in Berlin two years ago that killed twelve people and injured another 56, European authorities have heightened security at Christmas markets and related events across the continent as I’ve reported here at PJ Media.
Happy Holidays, Infidels! Western Authorities Anticipate Christmas Market Terror Attacks https://t.co/xW2bwcQOWF via @pjmedia_com
— Patrick Poole (@pspoole) November 26, 2017
Merry Christmas, Infidels! Holiday Events An Increasing Target for Terror https://t.co/w2NpZVkgWY
— Patrick Poole (@pspoole) December 22, 2016
New Terror Plots Target Christmas Events as Church Bombed in Philippines, Christians Murdered in Baghdad https://t.co/zrf35BzQQx
— Patrick Poole (@pspoole) December 24, 2016
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