Paris police shoot and kill two people, thwarting apparent car-ramming attack

Deadly incident comes on night of French presidential elections; police say car was speeding at officers against direction of traffic

PARIS — Police in central Paris opened fire on a car that was hurtling towards them, killing two people inside, a police source told AFP on the evening of the French election.

The vehicle was driving against the flow of traffic on the Pont Neuf when it sped towards the officers, who opened fire, according to the same police source.

Two of the vehicle’s occupants were killed and a third was injured, said the source.

A large police presence was at the scene in the heart of the capital, according to an AFP journalist.

The Paris public prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, arrived around 1:30 a.m. (2330 GMT).

An investigation has been launched for “attempted voluntary manslaughter on persons in charge of public authority”.

The incident came just hours after French President Emmanuel Macron won re-election, defeating challenger Marine Le Pen in a race that saw the far-right come its closest yet to taking power.