A gunman shot and killed a policeman and wounded two others on the world-famous Champs Elysees avenue in Paris on Thursday night, in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group.
Two police officials say the assailant who shot a police officer to death and wounded two others on Paris' Champs Elysees had been flagged as an extremist.
What has happened in the aftermath of the attack?
Paris police spokeswoman Johanna Primevert told The Associated Press the attacker targeted police guarding the area near the Franklin Roosevelt subway station on Thursday night (Friday morning, NZ time). Reports said police also found a pump-action shotgun and knives in the vehicle.
Police, who are still holding several members of his family for interviews, say that they are investigating if Cheurfi had accomplices.
What do we know about the gunman?
The Islamic State group's claim of responsibility was broadcast just a few hours after the attack came.
A statement by the IS propaganda agency Amaq said the attacker was "one of the Islamic State's fighters".
Antiterror prosecutor Francois Molins said Cheurfi had been arrested in February after he tried to acquire weapons and had spoken in terms that suggested he wanted to kill police officers. He had previously served time for the attempted murder of three police officers in 2001 and also on the security service's watch list.
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A female officer who was saved from serious wounds by her Kevlar vest was identified as Elizabeth Kennedy, 42, the source said. The man told officers he knew of the plan to steal items from the store but was not aware of the shooting, the affidavit said.
Has it affected the French election?
President Francois Hollande calling together the government's security council, and France said its security forces were fully mobilized for Sunday's presidential election after the killing by the Islamist militant threw a dark shadow over the last day of an unpredictable campaign. Some think it might help the far right candidate, Marine Le Pen, who has taken a hard line on immigration issues.
A gunman armed with military style weapons walked up to a police van and opened fire. French media reported that he was recently the subject of a counterterrorism investigation.
How have world leaders responded?
Cazeneuve compared the attack to recent incidents in Berlin, Stockholm and London, adding that the whole of Europe was facing a unique terrorist threat.
In Tokyo, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a message of solidarity to Hollande on Friday.
In Washington, President Trump said the shooting in Paris "looks like another terrorist attack".
"We shall be of the utmost vigilance, especially in relation to the election", he told the nation on television.
Malcolm Turnbull urged travellers to check for security warnings on the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
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