Paris: French police officer killed in terrorist shooting on Champs Elysées

A French police officer was killed and two others injured in the evening of 20 April 2017 after an alleged terrorist shooting on the Champs Elysées in Paris just days before the first round of the presidential election on the 23 April 2017.

The suspected attacker was killed by security forces. In a statement President Francois Hollande said that he was convinced the attack was 'terrorist-related'. So-called Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility.

The incident took place as the candidates were taking part in the third and final live tv campaigning programme.

France had suffered a number of terrorism-related incidents over the previous few years.

President François Hollande and second round 2017 presidential election candidates Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen took part in a cermony to commemorate policy officer Xavier Jugele on the 25 April 2017.

Politico, 20.04.17: Paris shooting ‘terrorist-related’ says Hollande http://www.politico.eu/article/police-officer-killed-paris-shooting-reports/

ESO: Key source: France Presidential Election 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-presidential-election-2017/

ESO: Background information: French Presidental Election 2017 - Final week of campaigning before the 1st Round: Le Pen, Macron and Mélenchon stage rival rallies in Paris http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-presidental-election-2017-final-week-of-campaigning-before-the-1st-round-le-pen-macron-and-melenchon-stage-rival-rallies-in-paris/

BBC News, 20.04.17: Policeman and suspected gunman shot dead in Paris 'terror attack' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39662315

EUObserver, 21.04.17: French campaign ends in uncertainty and fear https://euobserver.com/elections/137633

EurActiv, 21.04.17: Paris shooting overshadows final day of French election campaign http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/paris-shooting-overshadows-final-days-of-french-election-campaign/

Deutsche Welle, 21.04.17: Terror strikes Paris days before French presidential election http://p.dw.com/p/2bejX

France24, 21.04.17: Champs-Élysées attacker was known to French police http://www.france24.com/en/20170421-france-paris-champs-elysees-attacker-chelles-known-police

The Guardian, 21.04.17: Fears that Paris shooting will affect presidental election as first round looms https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/21/fears-that-paris-shooting-will-affect-presidental-election-as-first-round-looms

Euro|Topics: Debates, April 2017: Police shootings in Paris http://www.eurotopics.net/en/178000/police-shootings-in-paris

The Conversation, 21.04.17: Q&A: What role has the fight against terror played in the French election? https://theconversation.com/qanda-what-role-has-the-fight-against-terror-played-in-the-french-election-76532

France24, 25.04.17: President, Macron and Le Pen attend memorial for slain Champs-Élysées policeman http://www.france24.com/en/20170425-frances-le-pen-macron-honour-policeman-killed-champs-elysees-attack

The Local.fr, 25.04.17: 'You won't have my hatred': Partner honours policeman killed on Champs-Elysées https://www.thelocal.fr/20170425/macron-and-le-pen-to-attend-ceremony-for-policeman-killed-on-champs-elyses

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