Three police officers shot to death in France while responding to domestic abuse case

Updated 22 minutes ago

THREE POLICE OFFICERS were shot and killed in Puy-de-Dome, central France, today after being called in to a domestic disturbance, prosecution sources said.

Since then, the suspect has been found dead, Home Secretary Gerald Darmanin confirmed.

In a Twitter post, Darmanin did not elaborate on how the 48-year-old died, but said he was heading to the site near Saint-Just, a town south of the city of Clermont-Ferrand.

Police officers, including a fourth who was injured in the incident, were shot by a man while trying to rescue a woman.

Police approached the house shortly after midnight and was attacked with gunfire.

The gunman initially shot and killed one officer and wounded another, before setting the house on fire.

Then two more officers, who responded to the scene, were shot and killed, according to the Clermont-Ferrand prosecutor’s office.

Authorities said the woman had been safely rescued and that at least seven elite tactical police officers remained at the scene.

“The greatest precautions are being taken with regard to the danger of the individual,” a source close to the investigation told AFP.

The gunman is said to be known to authorities on charges related to child custody issues.

Firefighters are also on the scene trying to control the fire.

The Puy-de-Dome prefecture told AFP that the situation was still developing.

– © AFP 2020