Three police officers have been shot and a fourth wounded in France after being called to reports of a domestic violence incident.
Police launched a manhunt after the gunman opened fire at shortly after midnight in Puy-de-Dôme, central France, with officers finding the suspected shooter dead at shortly before 9am (local time).
According to reports, officers were responding to a call about a woman being threatened by her husband over child custody when they were shot by a 48-year-old man.
Two officers were shot as they tried to approach the house where a woman had fled to the roof for safety. She was later resuced.
One died of his injuries and a second was rushed to hospital suffering from a shot wound to the thigh.
An investigating source said: "Two officers approached a house just after midnight following an emergency call.
"A woman was on the roof screaming for help, and as two gendarmes got close, a man opened fire, killing one officer instantly.
"Another was hit in the thigh and rushed to hospital, where he subsequently died. More officers then arrived, and a man set fire to the house.
"The woman managed to escape, but then there was more shooting, in which another gendarme died, and a fourth was wounded."
The source added that the suspected shooter was later found dead and is believed to have shot himself.
He reportedly set fire to the house after shooting at officers.
Two further officers were shot dead.
The dead police officers were aged 21, 37 and 45, the French Interior ministry has confirmed.
The shooter apparently had a history of child custody disputes with his wife.
The house has reportedly been completely destroyed in the blaze.
President Emmanuel Macron said the gendarmes were "heroes" and that the nation mourned for their families.
UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said in a tweet that her "thoughts and prayers are with the friends, family members and colleagues of these police officers".
