A gunman has reportedly taken hostages at a post office in the Paris suburb of Colombes. Police are already at the scene and a helicopter is flying over the building.
A man called police from the post office today, claiming to have taken hostages. The Daily Mail reports that at least two hostages have already been released. However, the gunman has claimed to have a Kalashnikov rifle and grenades.
NBC News reports that the gunman still has two hostages, according to reports.
It is not clear if the incident is terrorism related. The gunman did give his name to police and is known to the authorities already, but for minor crimes, RTL in France reported, notes the Daily Mail.
This incident came as Europe begins to deal with terrorism concerns following last week’s attacks on the Charlie Hebdo magazine and a kosher supermarket in Paris. As Reuters reports, the Paris city prosecutor said Friday that authorities have arrested 12 people who are believed to have helped the Islamist militant gunmen in the attacks. Seventeen people were killed in the attacks, as well as three gunmen. A woman, Hayat Boumediene, is still on the run.
In Belgium, police killed two men who fired at them during raids on Thursday and German police also arrested two during raids there.
This is a developing story. Check back for further updates.
image courtesy of INFphoto.com