Knife rampage leaves multiple injured in Marseille before police shoot attacker dead

Several people were injured during a knife rampage in Marseille this afternoon, before police shot the suspected attacker dead.

At least one of the four reported victims was taken to hospital in critical condition, according to local media.

The incident happened on the terrace of a fast food restaurant in Bouches-du-Rhône, in Marseille’s 1st arrondissement.

A witness said he saw a man with ‘two large butcher knives’ at the scene on Tuesday afternoon. 

French outlet BFMTV reported that the man was seen with an iron bar and two knives.

Graphic footage of the incident appeared to show police shooting the suspect several times outside a Turkish restaurant.

One witness said police ‘tried to arrest [the perpetrator]’ before ‘the man tried to attack a police officer with a knife’.

‘The officer shouted “stop, stop” before hearing gunfire.’

One source told the Le Figaro that the suspect was a Tunisian national who was under judicial supervision and prohibited from carrying a weapon.

The alleged perpetrator was said to have been known to local authorities. A motive for the attack was unclear. 

Sources told Le Figaro that the perpetrator had clashed with staff at a hotel where he was said to have stopped paying for his accommodation.

The hotel manager and a guest were said to be among those injured in the fracas, before the perpetrator went into the street and threatened police officers.

French outlet BFMTV reported that the man was seen with an iron bar and two knives

Police shot the suspect dead near a fast food restaurant in Bouches-du-Rhône, Marseille

Police and firefighters were deployed to the scene and had set up a security perimeter by 4pm local time.

French outlet Le Parisien reported that at least five people were injured in the attack.

Le Figaro reported that at least four people were stabbed before police intervened.

Sources told Le Figaro the man stabbed a hotel manager and a guest before going out into the street and threatening police officers

The man was reportedly subdued with a stun gun before being shot by police