Three killed in Istres shootings

A GUNMAN armed with a kalashnikov rifle has shot dead three people and injured another in an apparently random series of attacks in Istres, in the Bouches-du-Rhône.

The mass shooting occurred in a residential part of the town, which is about 30km from Marseille. A suspect, aged about 20, was arrested near the scene and the rifle found in a ditch nearby.

The gunman opened fire on cars and passers-by. One of the victims was shot dead at the wheel of his car - the two others were pedestrians. A woman was slightly injured after a bullet brushed past her ear.

Police say the victims appear to have been chosen at random. Interior minister Manuel Valls is visiting the scene today.

He told reporters: "It's very worrying and it once again shows the problem of weapons circulating around."