French police launch manhunt for gunman who shot, killed 3 people, wounded 12 others near Christmas market

French security forces have launched a manhunt for a gunman who opened fire near a Christmas market in Strasbourg where he killed three victims and wounded 12 others in the process.

According to French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner who confirmed the incident, a manhunt has been launched to apprehend the gunman who opened fire at around 8pm local time (19:00 GMT) on Tuesday on one of the city’s busiest streets.

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“The government has raised its security threat to the highest level and is bolstering border controls,” Castaner told a late-night news conference held in the city. “We will also reinforce security at all Christmas markets to prevent copycat attacks.”

French police are still unsure of the motive of the runaway gunman even as the country’s counter terrorism prosecutor has opened an investigation into the incident while 350 security agents and two helicopters were hunting for the gunman.

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