French police seeks possible second suspect in Paris shooting

French police are looking for a second suspect who has been allegedly involved in the Paris shooting following Belgian security services' warrant, authorities said on Friday.

In an interview with local broadcaster Europe1, Pierre-Henry Brandet, French interior ministry's spokesperson, said the police are hunting for a second man identified by Belgian intelligence services.

However, it is too early to confirm that the man has actual links to the shooting, Brandet said, adding there is certain information needed to be checked."

Local media reported that the Belgian security services warned French authorities that "a dangerous man" had come into France by train from Belgium.

However, the man later turned himself in at a police station in the Belgian city of Antwerp and claimed that he has nothing to do with the shooting.

On Thursday evening, a man armed with an automatic riffle shot dead a police man and wounded two others before being killed.

The suspect had "deliberately targeted" police officer, Brandet said.

The assailant was identified as Karim Cheurfi, a 39-year-old Frenchman, known to intelligence services for radicalization. In 2005, he was sentenced to 15 years in jail for attempted murders, according to local media reports.

Reports said a pump action shotgun and two knives were found in Cheurfi's car which he had stopped alongside a stationary police van on the Champs Elysees avenue. Three members of his family have been in custody.

The Paris shooting attack came just days ahead of the French presidential election scheduled on Sunday.

Source: Xinhua