Several people were taken hostage by an unknown gunman at a post office in Colombes, a northwest suburb of Paris, French media reported. After negotiations, the assailant handed himself over to police.
The gunman was armed with a Kalashnikov rifle, a gun and numerous grenades, French RTL radio reports. From two to five people were taken hostage, say police sources. The incident took place at about midday local time, RT reported.
After negotiations with the assailant began, reports emerged that an unknown number of hostages was released and the gunman eventually surrendered to police.
The hostage-taker “is disappointed in love,” local officials said, adding that the hostage taker was a customer “who lost his head” and spoke of “heartbreak.” Sources said the man was "speaking incoherently." The gunman is known to police as a petty crime suspect. The officers secured the perimeter and a helicopter was deployed to the area of Charles-de-Gaulle Boulevard where the post office is situated. It is not yet clear if the incident is connected with last week’s Paris shootings that left 17 people dead, including journalists and police officers. However, police sources indicate it may be an attempt of armed robbery.
