Man shot by police after stabbing several people in Marseille

A man has assaulted pedestrians with a knife in Marseille, France, injuring at least two people. The attacker was confronted and shot by the police, local media reports.

The incident took place in central Marseille on Tuesday. A person wielding a knife attacked passersby, wounding at least two people, AFP reported. Other media outlets, however, have said four people were injured. 

One of the victims was reportedly struck by the attacker in the neck and remains in critical condition.

The man reportedly took out a gun and opened fire after being confronted by police. The attacker died shortly after the altercation with law enforcement, La Provence reported, citing sources. The assailant is believed to be a 36-year-old homeless man, previously known to the police for a 2003 murder case.

The motive of the attack was not immediately clear.

Footage from the scene shows firefights as well as paramedics attending to a person lying in the middle of the street. It is not immediately clear whether they were attending to the attacker or to one of his victims.

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