Marseille shooting: Gunmen 'armed with Kalashnikovs have shoot-out with French police then drive off'

Police believe the incident was 'gang-related'

Police were responding to the sound of gunfire (AFP/Getty Images)

Armed individuals reportedly tried to corner police who were responding to the sound of gunfire in Marseille, France, authorities have said.

Police said a group of people had fired shots into the air, before police arrived, in what was suspected to be gang-related activity.

Christophe Reynaud of the Marseille police said one resident was hit in the head with a butt of a gun and slightly injured during the incident in the Busserine district on early Monday evening.

There were conflicting reports after the incident, with some suggesting that shots had been fired at a group of young people.

Marseille's La Provence newspaper reported a group of hooded men had driven up in three vehicles before opening fire with Kalashnikov rifles.

Mr Renaud said terrorism had been ruled out as a motive and that the individuals involved were not arrested as they drove away after the incident.

AP contributed to this report.