Three people have been killed and three others injured after a gunman opened fire in Paris.
A 69-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the shooting at a local Kurdish cultural center, prosecutors in the French capital have said.
He was also injured in the incident and is being treated in hospital, according to the district’s mayor, Alexandra Cordebard.
The attacker is a French national and is known to authorities after attacking migrants living in tents a year ago, BFM TV reported.
The motive for Friday’s shooting was not immediately clear.
Image: Police and firefighters secure a street after shots were fired in the French capital Image: Several people were injured during the incident
The Paris prosecutor said he would examine a “possible racist element” behind the attack.
“There has been an attack with weapons. Thanks to the security forces for their quick action,” Emmanuel Gregoire, the deputy mayor, tweeted.
“Thoughts to the victims and those who witnessed this drama.”
The shooting took place at noon local time at a Kurdish cultural center and a nearby restaurant and hair salon, the district’s mayor, Cordebard, said.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said three victims of the shooting had died, while one was in critical condition and two others were in hospital with less serious injuries.
He also said the assailant was wounded in the face.
Police officers cordoned off the area on a busy street with shops and restaurants near Gare de l’Est train station and urged people to stay away.
Anti-terrorism prosecutors said they are investigating the shooting but have given no indication of a terrorist motive.
Image: Police said they were dealing with an incident on Rue d’Enghien
A witness told the French news agency AFP that seven or eight shots had been fired, causing chaos in the street.
Shortly after the incident, Gerald Darmanin, the interior minister, said he would travel to Paris and visit the scene of the “dramatic” shooting, and also confirmed that the suspect had been detained by police.
The investigation into the gunman’s motives continues, said Cordebard, who also told reporters that the incident was a “terrible drama.”
Image: French police speak to people as they secure a street after the shooting
France suffered a series of deadly attacks by Islamic extremists in 2015 and 2016 and remains on alert for terrorism-related violence.
Paris prosecutors said an investigation into murder, involuntary manslaughter and aggravated violence has been opened.
He said the alleged attacker had been arrested a year ago for a saber attack at a migrant camp in Paris and was being investigated for a racially motivated crime.
UK Foreign Secretary Jason Cleverly tweeted about the “tragic news” in Paris and said the UK “stands ready to support in any way we can”.