At least two dead, four wounded during shooting in Paris

At least two people were killed and four more wounded after a gunman unleashed violence in a Kurdish cultural center in Paris and several other locations on Friday.

A motive behind the gunfire remained unclear and authorities are working to understand what occurred. A 69-year-old man has since been detained in connection with the attack.

The suspect was also wounded and is hospitalized, according to the mayor for the 10th Arrondissement, Alexandra Cordebard. His condition was unclear.

Of the those wounded, two of the four were left in critical condition.

The shooting unfolded on a busy street with shops and restaurants, first near the Gare de l’Est train station by the cultural center, then a restaurant and a hair salon. It came at a time when Paris is bustling with life and activity ahead of the Christmas weekend.

Anti-terrorism prosecutors are in contact with investigators but haven’t indicated any sign of a terrorist motive at this stage. France was struck by a string of deadly attacks by Islamic extremists in 2015 and 2016 and remains on alert for terrorism-related violence.

With News Wire Services