Police officers shot and killed a man armed with a knife who was threatening passersby in the heart of Ajaccio, Corsica, local authorities announced, who have ruled out at this stage that it was a terrorist act.
Ajaccio prosecutor Nicolas Set said a preliminary investigation is underway for intentional homicide against the police officer who fired and for "attempted murder" against the victim.
The 26-year-old, originally from Senegal, received one or more bullets and was fatally wounded, the prosecutor added, confirming information from the France 3 television station Viastella.
"I rule out a terrorist attack at this stage because it did not issue any such threat," Shet added, speaking to reporters at the scene.
The officers initially tried to use a Taser gun to immobilize the 26-year-old and when they failed, one of them shot him several times.
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In videos posted on social media, a man is seen moving quickly, on foot, on Napoleon Street, while police officers chase him with guns drawn.
Napoleon Street, a central and busy artery of the city, was closed to traffic.