French Hostage Situation: Two armed suspects engage in shootout with French police

Two Kalashnikov-wielding men took a family hostage in the town of Roubaix

Two suspects armed with Kalashnikov rifles engaged in a shootout with French police in Toubaix, France.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The suspects are believed to have taken a bank director and his family hostage, but very little is currently known.

Local authorities believe the shooters are not related to the Paris terror attacks and the situation is ongoing.

The incident began last night when an attempted robbery turned into a hostage situation. The area has been cordoned off by police and a neighbor reported "regular gunfire can be heard."

An unnamed source told Reuters, "An operation is underway after hostages were taken. Gunshots were fired and the neighbourhood has been cordoned off."

The town's mayor's office believes the suspects "carried out a robbery" that got out of hand and led to the hostage situation. The office announced a special police unit has been dispatched and updates continue to come in.

France has experienced high tensions since the terror attacks earlier this month, where 130 people died. More information will be posted as it is announced.

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