PARIS, December 12. /TASS/. The gunman, who shot two people dead and injured about a dozen at the Christmas market in Strasbourg late on Tuesday, was wounded in a shootout with police but fled, Agence France-Presse reported citing police sources.
"A shootout occurred in the region where the attacker has taken cover," the agency quoted a police statement as saying. According to the source, the suspect was injured but managed to flee.
Earlier, the France Bleu radio station said another shootout was reported in downtown Strasbourg shortly after the gunman opened fire at visitors of the Strasbourg Christmas Market in the historic part of the city at about 20:00 Moscow time. According to local authorities, 11 people were injured: seven critically and four slightly.
"At the moment, we know that two people died, and several are in critical condition. The attacker was identified, and the operation [to detain him] continues," French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said, adding he would not reveal more details for investigation purposes.
Meanwhile, district authorities reported that the suspect had earlier been included into the list of radical Islamists and criminals, who pose a threat to state security. BFM TV said the man was a Strasbourg resident aged 29.
The TV channel also said, citing prosecutors, that the incident is being investigated as a possible terrorist attack.