Three People Dead, Four Injured as Gunman Opens Fire in Central Paris, Suspect Arrested

A gunman opened fire in the 10th arrondissement of the French capital around midday, authorities said.

At least three people were killed and four more injured by a shooter on Rue d'Enghien on Friday, according to French media, citing prosecution. While initial reports suggested that the attack left 6 people wounded, 3 of them later succumbed to their injuries.

"Following the tragic shooting that happened this morning, I am returning to Paris and will go to the scene. My thoughts go out to the close ones of the victims. The perpetrator has been detained," French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on social media.

According to authorities, the perpetrator was "clearly targeting foreigners".

The suspect apprehended by police is a 69-year-old retired train conductor, and according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, he had previously been charged with racist violence.

An issue of whether the attack was motivated by racism "will obviously form part of our investigations which are starting now with the deployment of large numbers of people," she added.

Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo thanked the police for their "decisive" intervention during the "terrible attack" and expressed condolences to the victims.