3 injured in shooting in northern France

PARIS – Police say three people have been injured in a shooting in the northern French city of Lille.

Witnesses told police that an unidentified assailant opened fire near a metro station Friday 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 authorized to be publicly named.

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.

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