Strasbourg manhunt: France raises terror alert level as police search for gunman who killed two at Christmas market

Authorities launch terror investigation as 350 officers hunt for suspect

Scene in Strasbourg after shooting leaves two dead and 12 injured

A large-scale manhunt has been launched in France for a suspected extremist gunman who shot at a Christmas market in Strasbourg, killing two people and injuring at least 12.

Authorities have launched a terror investigation, with Interior Minister Christophe Castaner saying 350 officers are hunting for the man, who was already known to the country’s intelligence services as a potential security risk.

The French government raised its security alert system Vigipirate to its highest level, “Emergency Attack”, triggering stricter border controls and reinforced security at all Christmas markets to avoid the risk of copycat attacks.

The suspected attacker has been named by police as Chérif Chekatt, a 29-year-old born in Strasbourg who has served time in prison in France and Germany for common law offences, and was reportedly known to be part of radicalised networks in Strasbourg and considered a “repeat offender” and a “delinquent”.

Key Points

• Five people detained as police hunt for suspect
• Suspect identified as Chérif Chekatt, who was known to security services
• Gunman remains at large after killing three at Christmas market
• France upgrades terror security level to 'Emergency Attack'

[12 December 2018 13:31 · Samuel Osborne]

It appears no Americans were killed or injured in the attack on the Christmas market in Strasbourg US secretary of state Mike Pompeo told Fox News in an interview on Wednesday.

Donald Trump tweeted about the "very bad terror attack in France" but gave no other details. 

[12 December 2018 13:39 · Samuel Osborne]

It is understood the Foreign Office has not yet received any reports of British nationals caught up in the shooting.

[12 December 2018 13:54 · Samuel Osborne]

The Christmas market was closed and flags lowered to half-mast on Wednesday.

The mayor of Strasbourg, Roland Ries, tweeted: "A book of condolences will be opened at the Town Hall from today. I want to thank the people of Strasbourg and visitors to the city for their patience and understanding."

French president Emmanuel Macron, who attended a Interdepartmental Crisis Centre meeting, left without speaking to reporters but later tweeted to say the "solidarity of the entire nation is with Strasbourg, the victims and their families".

[12 December 2018 14:11 · Samuel Osborne]

Six of the 12 wounded in the attack are gravely injured.

[12 December 2018 14:50 · Samuel Osborne]

The suspect's mother, father and two brothers are being held in detention for questioning, Reuters reports, citing sources close to the investigation.

[12 December 2018 15:03 · Samuel Osborne]

Interior minister Christophe Castaner told parliament 720 security officers have been mobilised to search for the gunman.

[12 December 2018 15:15 · Samuel Osborne]

A Thai Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said the country's embassy in Paris has confirmed a Thai national, 45-year-old Anupong Suebsamarn, was killed in the deadly Christmas market shooting in Strasbourg. 

Anupong had been traveling with his wife. 

The English-language website of the newspapaer Khao Sod said Anupong was the owner of a noodle factory in Chachoengsao province, east of Bangkok, and also sold clothes in the Thai capital's garment district. 

It quoted his uncle saying the couple had originally planned to be in Paris, but the yellow vest protests there caused them to change plans and go to Strasbourg instead. 

Spokeswoman Busadee Santipitaks said Thai officials had asked French authorities and members of the Thai community in Strasbourg to help Anupong's widow, and Thai consular officials were traveling there Wednesday to provide further assistance. 

[12 December 2018 15:28 · Samuel Osborne]

French politicians held a minute's silence at the National Assembly for victims and their families following Tuesday night's deadly Christmas market attack in Strasbourg. 

Interior minister Christophe Castaner paid tribute to three people who tried to stop the gunman in streets near the famous market, including a woman who suffered stab wounds. 

He said their actions highlighted "our compatriots' ability to be heroic." Politicians from all parties applauded his comments. 

Socialist and far-left politicians have asked to postpone a no-confidence vote against the government linked to its handling of the Yellow Vest protests, saying they want to preserve the nation's unity at difficult times. The vote had been scheduled for Thursday.

[12 December 2018 15:43 · Samuel Osborne]

A young Italian radio journalist who was in Strasbourg to cover a session of the European Parliament is in critical condition after being shot in the Christmas market attack. 

The news agency ANSA said 28-year-old Antonio Megalizzi was struck by a bullet at the base of his cranium. ANSA said his parents, sister and girlfriend have traveled to France to join him. 

Mr Megalizzi is a journalist with the Europhonica radio consortium linked to universities. Italian daily La Repubblica said he traveled Strasbourg on Sunday to follow the European Parliamentary session.

Mr Megalizzi is from the northern city of Trento, and is working on a masters focusing on European institutions. 

Europhonica has posted a Facebook message saying it cannot confirm any news about his health.