1st LD: Woman killed by hooded armed man at retirement home in France

A woman was found dead on Thursday evening after an armed man burst into a retirement home for missionaries in Montferrier-sur-lez, in southwest France, according to media reports.

During an operation, French gendarmes have found the dead woman on the first floor of the retirement home for monks, said BFMTV, adding that the police are trying to locate the armed man who took flight.

A large-scale police operation was underway to find the unidentified attacker, whose motivation has remained unknown. So far, there is no evidence to suggest the attack was terror-related.

According to the local broadcaster Europe1, the hooded attacker had bound and gagged the woman guard at the retirement home before stabbing her three times.

Despite her injuries, the woman released herself and contacted police, Europel reported.

About 59 monks who had worked in Africa as well as a few nuns living in the building are now protected by police, according to reports.

France, now in an emergency state due to high terror risks, has become a major target of frequent terrorist attacks following its military operation in Syria, Iraq and the Sahel region.

On the weekend, French police arrested seven men, five of whom are still in custody on charges of planning attacks against high-profile sites, amusement parks, coffee shops, religious sites and a metro station in and around Paris on Dec. 1.

Last July, two young men slaughtered an elderly priest in a church in northern Paris. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the assault.

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