3 injured as gunman opens fire near metro station in northern France

Several people, including a child, were injured following a shooting in Lille, France on Saturday. Witnesses told police that an unidentified assailant opened fire near a metro station last night before fleeing, according to two Lille police officials.

The officials said one of those shot is a minor, and none of the injuries is life-threatening. The officials were not authorised to be publicly named.

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The reason for the shooting is unclear. It comes as France is under a state of emergency after deadly extremist attacks.

Newspaper La Voix du Nord and radio France Bleu Nord reported that the Lille shooting may have been a settling of scores among local criminals.

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While firearms are less common in France than the US, gang-related shootings occur sporadically in poor French neighbourhoods.