One French police officer and a gunman have been shot dead during an attack in Paris.
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place on the Champs-Elysees earlier tonight.
It is understood the assailant stepped out of a car at a red light and opened fire with a Kalashnikov machine gun, also known as an AK-47.
One officer has been killed, while their assailant has also been shot dead.
Another police officer has been wounded.
Earlier reports that a second officer had been killed are incorrect.
Police are searching the home of the attacker, who was reportedly known to security services.
Meanwhile, Reuters news agency has also reported that an arrest warrant has been issued for a second suspect, who is believed to have arrived from Belgium earlier today.
It was also reported that a second incident involving gun fire had taken place but this has been denied by the French Interior Ministry.
The counter-terror office has opened a preliminary investigation into the attack, but there has also been speculation that it could have been related to an armed robbery attempt.
Paris police spokeswoman Johanna Primevert said that the attacker targeted police guarding the area near the Franklin Roosevelt subway station.
A witness identified only as Ines told French television station BFM that she heard a shooting, saw a man’s body on the ground and the area was quickly evacuated by police.
Meanwhile, outgoing French President Francois Hollande has said he is convinced the shooting was ‘terrorist-related’ and has announced he will hold a security cabinet meeting tomorrow morning.
The attack comes three days before the first round of France’s tense presidential election.
A televised debate with all 11 presidential candidates was being broadcast when the attack took place.
French conservative presidential candidate Francois Fillon has called for the campaign to be cancelled.
He has already scapped a planned outing tomorrow.
Voters are set to head to the polls on Sunday in the first round of a two part election, and campaigning by the 11 candidates in the running was due to be wrapped up on Friday.
France has been on high alert after being attacked a number of times in recent years.
Most recently, soldiers providing security at prominent locations were attacked in separate incidents – one at the Louvre museum in February and one at Orly airport last month.
