Another Paris Shooting Reported, Hostages Taken at Kosher Store

Posted 2015-01-09 15:53 by Grunt Report

The two hostage takers have threatened to execute their captives if Said Kouachi and Cherif Kouachi are not allowed to go free from the north Paris printworks where they are under siege and holding one hostage.

It was reported this afternoon that two had already been killed in a shoot-out at the Kosher shop, but that version of events is now being challenged and it may be that there have not yet been any deaths in this particular siege.

It is believed the shooter is the same man who committed the Thursday murder of a policewoman in the South of Paris, and the incident, which is developing in the 11th arrondissement (district), is just streets away from the offices of Charlie Hebdo.

The first suspect has been named in local media as reportedly North African Amedy Coulibaly, 33, with a police photograph being widely circulated. He is believed to belong to the same jihadi group as the brothers who attacked Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday.

A second suspect taking part in the hostage taking has been named as 26 year-old Hayat Boumeddiene.

They are believed to be armed with an AK-47 and another firearm that has yet to be identified.

The professional equipment and calm demeanour of the male hostage taker, and the fact he is reported to be dressed in a very similar form to the terrorists presently under siege in a printers in northeast Paris suggests the events are linked. They are thought to all be members of the same Al-Qaeda backed terror group.

The situation in Paris is now so tense it is reported French police officers are walking with their handguns un-holstered, and Kosher restaurants are closing early for the day, fearful of further attacks against the many Jews in the city.

There are now so many armed French police officers deployed to respond to the incidents and protect against further attacks, many have been seen carrying heritage carbine rifles dating back to the Second World War.

French media reported another developing situation at the Trocadero centre near to the Eiffel Tower in central Paris, but it has now understood to be a false alarm.