Three people are dead and 12 wounded from a shooting Tuesday night in the French city of Strasbourg, the French interior minister said early Wednesday.

Iran press/Europe: Authorities meanwhile were continuing to search for the suspect who is on a terrorist watch list and whose home police had raided earlier in the day in a burglary probe.

The shooting took place on Tuesday shortly before 8 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET) near a Christmas market in Strasbourg, France, that attracts millions of tourists every year. Strasbourg is on the German border, Reuters reported.

The suspect fled and engaged in a firefight with police between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. local time, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said. He added the suspect has a record in France and Germany for common crimes.

A prosecutor said earlier that officers are searching for the suspect for alleged criminal association with a terrorist group and attempted assassination.

Prior to the shooting Tuesday, police raided the suspect's home in connection to a burglary probe. The suspect wasn't there but resurfaced that night at the perimeter of the Christmas market when shots rang out, police said.

Of the 12 wounded, six have serious injuries.

France's counter-terrorism unit has opened an investigation into the shooting incident. 101/ 211 / 202

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