Hooded Gunmen Fire At Police In Marseille Ahead Of French PM Visit
Hooded Gunmen Fire At Police In Marseille, France
Sara C Nelson— Huffington Post UK
|
Hooded gunmen armed with Kalashnikovs have fired on police in the French city of Marseille.
It comes on the day the Prime Minister was due to visit a housing project in the city.
No injuries were immediately reported.
Open Image Modal
Police at the scene in Marseille
A police official told the Associated Press riot police have blocked off the Castellane housing project in northern Marseille. A creche has been evacuated and a helicopter was seen flying over the estate.
The project is rife with drug gangs and violence and Le Figaro reports the shooting is not a terrorist attack but is related to drug gang wars.
Samia Ghali, a senator from the region, told iTele that she spoke with the police director and was told that the gunmen were targeting police and also firing at random.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls was due in Marseille, France's second-largest city, to talk about security and education.
Shots fired at police in Marseille
(01 of08)
Open Image Modal
Police officers block the entrance of the Castellane housing project of Marseille, southern France, Monday, Feb.9, 2015. Police say gunmen have fired automatic weapons at the edge of a housing project the same day as the prime minister planned to visit the city. The project is rife with drug gangs and violence. No injuries were immediately reported. (AP Photo/Claude Paris) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(02 of08)
Open Image Modal
Police officers block the entrance of the Castellane housing project of Marseille, southern France, Monday, Feb.9, 2015. Police say gunmen have fired automatic weapons at the edge of a housing project the same day as the prime minister planned to visit the city. The project is rife with drug gangs and violence. No injuries were immediately reported. (AP Photo/Claude Paris) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(03 of08)
Open Image Modal
A police officer stands outside the Castellane housing project of Marseille, southern France, Monday, Feb.9, 2015. Police say gunmen have fired automatic weapons at the edge of a housing project the same day as the prime minister planned to visit the city. The project is rife with drug gangs and violence. No injuries were immediately reported. (AP Photo/Claude Paris) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(04 of08)
Open Image Modal
Police officers block the entrance of the Castellane housing project of Marseille, southern France, Monday, Feb.9, 2015. Police say gunmen have fired automatic weapons at the edge of a housing project the same day as the prime minister planned to visit the city. The project is rife with drug gangs and violence. No injuries were immediately reported. (AP Photo/Claude Paris) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(05 of08)
Open Image Modal
Police officers control the entrance of a preschool just outside the Castellane housing project of Marseille, southern France, Monday, Feb.9, 2015. Police say gunmen have fired automatic weapons at the edge of a housing project the same day as the prime minister planned to visit the city. The project is rife with drug gangs and violence. No injuries were immediately reported. (AP Photo/Claude Paris) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(06 of08)
Open Image Modal
Elite police officers block the entrance of the Castellane housing project of Marseille, southern France, Monday, Feb.9, 2015. Police say gunmen have fired automatic weapons at the edge of a housing project the same day as the prime minister planned to visit the city. The project is rife with drug gangs and violence. No injuries were immediately reported. (AP Photo/Claude Paris) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(07 of08)
Open Image Modal
Police officers block the entrance of the Castellane housing project of Marseille, southern France, Monday, Feb.9, 2015. Police say gunmen have fired automatic weapons at the edge of a housing project the same day as the prime minister planned to visit the city. The project is rife with drug gangs and violence. No injuries were immediately reported. (AP Photo/Claude Paris) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(08 of08)
Open Image Modal
Police officers block the entrance of the Castellane housing project of Marseille, southern France, Monday, Feb.9, 2015. Police say gunmen have fired automatic weapons at the edge of a housing project the same day as the prime minister planned to visit the city. The project is rife with drug gangs and violence. No injuries were immediately reported. (AP Photo/Claude Paris) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)