1. A gunman opened fire on a French police vehicle on the famous Champs-Élysées avenue in Paris on Thursday, killing one officer and three other individuals, authorities said.
2. “A [police] car parked on the #ChampsElysees was targeted by an individual’s gunfire,” the Ministry of Interior said on Twitter. “The individual was shot dead by law enforcement.”
French President François Holland, in an address to the country, said the shooting appeared to be “terrorist in nature” and the nation’s security forces would be working to investigate the motive and any accomplices who may have played a role.
“We believe the attack is of a terrorist nature,” Holland said.
Holland also expressed his condolences for the “cowardly shot down” and two other officers who were shot in the confrontation.
A bystander was also wounded in the shootout, he said.
“Our security is at stake,” Hollande said. “This is the message I would like to send tonight. This is a message not only to police forces, the army, its a message to everyone: you will be protected.”
Ministry spokesman Pierre-Henry Brandet told BFM television that a man exited a car and opened fire on the police vehicle, “deliberately” targeting the officers with an automatic weapon.
There was “no other police operation underway” in the popular shopping district, he said.
Brandet told reporters the shooter’s background and motive had not immediately been determined, but that France remained on high alert because of past terror threats.
Brandet confirmed counterterrorism investigators have been called to look into the shooting, and that the country remains on high alert.
“If this is considered to be a terrorist attack, this is a serious crime and there may be some accomplices to be interrogated,” he said.
6. Dozens of police cars and helicopters descended on the popular tourist strip following the shooting, with police urging the public to avoid the area.
7. Anti-terror prosecutors had also reportedly mobilized to investigate the incident.
France remains under a state of emergency and security forces have been out in greater force in Paris in the wake of deadly Islamic extremist attacks over the years.
“Tribute to the slain police officer at the Champs-Elysées tonight,” French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve wrote on Twitter. “Solidarity to [the officer’s] injured colleagues and their loved ones.”
While speaking at the White House alongside the Italian prime minister, President Donald Trump offered condolences to the people of France.
“It looks like another terrorist attack,” Trump said. “What can you say? It just never ends. We have to be strong and we have to be vigilant.”
French voters are set to go to the polls on Sunday in the first round of the country’s presidential election.
This is a developing news story. Check back for updates or follow BuzzFeed News on Twitter.
9. The US State Department, meanwhile, advised people to avoid the area and monitor local news.
“Authorities are telling people to avoid the area after a shooting,” the department tweeted.
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