/ 27 March 2002

8 killed, 18 injured in Paris shooting spree

PARIS – A GUNMAN killed eight people and injured 18 others when he opened fire in the town hall of the Paris suburb of Nanterre early

on Wednesday following a council meeting, French emergency services

announced.

Eight of the injured were said to be in a grave condition.

A Nanterre police source said the gunman opened fire with an

automatic pistol during a council meeting at around 01:15am (0015

GMT).

”The shooting left eight people dead, eight very gravely injured

and 10 others in serious condition,” said local fire services chief

Christian Decolloredo.

No information was immediately available on the identity of the

victims.

Emergency procedures were activated, with tight security and a

medical post established at the town hall. – Sapa-AFP