A knifeman went on the rampage in central Paris tonight, stabbing at least four people in a random attack.
Journalist Charles Pellegrin said: “I came out of a comedy show near Opera in central Paris and was immediately told to go back in because there was a madman with a knife.
“Once back inside we heard sirens and two gun shots.
“I then spoke to eyewitnesses who told me a man stabbed multiple people at random.”
Eyewitness Fiona Zanetti tweeted: “I was in a restaurant rue saint Augustin in the 2eme arrondissement, crowd panic, blood, a guy with a knife in the streets and people screaming, avoid the area if you can.”
French police said the suspect was shot dead in the capital’s central Opera district.
Pierre Gaudin, a senior official at the Paris prefecture, said: “A person attacked five people in the second district of Paris. Police intervened immediately.
“The individual died. Another person, seriously injured (by the attacked) died from their injuries.”
Paris police appear to have issued a new report that states: “One victim is dead, two are seriously injured and two are slightly injured, the perpetrator is dead.”
Police have set up a perimeter and say the situation is under control.
Witnesses spoke of panic and trying to hide in nearby restaurants and cafes.
According to witnesses, cops tried to taser the attacker but this failed to stop the attacker who was then shot with two bullets, according to France24.
French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb called it an “odious” attack and praised officers for their actions.
François Molins, the Paris prosecutor and the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo are currently on the scene of the attack.
The identity of the attacker or his motives behind it are, so far, unclear.
