-News from Tue 26 March to 27 March 2002
Gunman Kills 8 in Suburban Paris VOA
News 27
Mar 2002 14:19 UTC
 
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| AP |
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| French President Jacques Chirac and Nanterre Mayor Jacqueline
Fraysse, leave the Nanterre town hall |
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A gunman has
killed at least eight people and injured 20 others in a shooting rampage in a
suburban Paris town hall. Officials say the man opened fire just as the
municipal council in the town of Nanterre, northwest of the French capital,
wrapped up a regular session.
Police arrested
the assailant, 33-year-old Richard Durne, and took him in for
questioning.
Witnesses say
the attacker randomly but calmly fired at council members, reloading two
automatic pistols and a revolver several times. Authorities say some of the
wounded are in serious condition.
Those present
overpowered the gunman after hitting him with a chair. Police have mentioned no
motive for the shooting, but say the attacker was an amateur marksman licensed
to carry firearms.
Both French
President Jacques Chirac and his challenger in next month's presidential
election, Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, visited the scene and denounced the
attack as an act of madness.
Some information
for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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