by Mark Abadi

One police officer was killed and two more were
injured in a shooting in Paris on Thursday, multiple news outlets
are reporting. According to
The Guardian, an attacker opened fire on a police van at
around 9 p.m. local time on the Champs-Elysees in central Paris.
Reports stated the gunman was using an automatic Kalashnikov
rifle. He tried to run away but was killed by return fire.

A police spokeswoman said the attacker appeared to be acting
alone, according to the
Associated Press, although
Reuters reported that police have issued a warrant for
the arrest of a second suspect.  The two injured officers are in serious condition, according to
Reuters, citing the French Interior Ministry, despite prior
reports that one of them had died.  According to police, the shooting was “very probably a terrorist
act,”
ITV reported, and French President Francois Hollande said he
was convinced it was “terrorist-related,” according to
Reuters. But Reuters also cites three
police sources who say it may have been an attempted armed
robbery, and French Interior Ministry spokesman said it was
too early to identify a motive.

The attacker was known to police, a source told The Guardian, and
authorities were searching his east Paris home. Police closed off the Champs-Elysee and security vehicles
are on the scene,
CNN reported. Police are urging the public to avoid the
popular shopping area. Security in Paris was increased this week ahead of the French
presidential election on Sunday. Two men were arrested on Tuesday
for planning an “imminent and violent attack” before the vote.
There is no information linking Tuesday’s arrests with Thursday’s
shooting, The Guardian reported. Two candidates in the French election, Francois Fillon and Marine
Le Pen, cancelled campaign events scheduled for Friday, according
to ITV. US President Donald Trump was briefed on the attack and
acknowledged it during a press conference on Thursday. “Condolences from our country to the people of France,” Trump
said. “It’s a terrible thing that’s going on in the world today. “It looks like another terrorist attack. What can you say —
it never ends,” he added. This story is developing.