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Updated, 11.21am
AN ARMED MAN who took hostages at a school complex in France has been taken into custody, police say.
It was not immediately clear how he was taken, but police said all hostages were released unhurt. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of police rules.
Children were initially among the hostages, but were released. However, the gunman then held one adult for several hours.
A police official said officers from the elite Raid force arrived on site to negotiate with the man.
The man took the hostages in Vitry-sur-Seine, a commuter town with residents from a variety of socioeconomic classes. Another police official said that all the children at the complex, which includes nursery and elementary schools, were safe. He added that the adult being held is a parent of one of the children.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of police rules.
French schools are on summer vacation, but many are running summer activities.
In late June, a man took four employees of a bank hostage in Toulouse. Authorities at the time said he appeared to be mentally ill and ranted disjointedly about religious motives.
Toulouse is the southern French city that was terrorized by a gunman whom police say claimed links to al-Qaida and killed three Jewish schoolchildren, a rabbi and three paratroopers. The suspected perpetrator, Mohamed Merah, was killed after a long standoff with the Raid police.
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Where do these lunatics come from, stick him in the slammer for life. Hope all get out of the situation safe.
Another hit on a school.. what’s new. lets hope all gets out safe though.
I work just beside Vitry. Pretty weird to read local frenchie news on thejournal. Hoping for a peaceful outcome.
According to Le Monde the last hostage has been released
Surprised it wasn’t in America :/
Scary, world we live in so much violence has become an everyday thing, and I am sure there are a million different reasons why, but doesn’t change the fact we have become an angry Generation…..
Hope everyone gets out safe and well. Hope they lock up the guy for life!!
I hope everyone gets out safe and the perp is caught alive. If this turns out to be another Islamist then it doesn’t bode well for race relations in France. Though my gut says its a Christian fundamentalist.
And these children that you spit onnAs they try to change their worldsnAre immune to your consultationsnThey’re quite aware of what they’re going through
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