OREANDA-NEWS. The 48-year-old Frenchman, who shot three gendarmes in the Puy-de-Dome department and escaped from the scene of the crime, was found dead. This was reported by French Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin. “The criminal was found dead. I’m going to the place,” he wrote on 23 December on Twitter.

The incident took place in the commune of Saint-Just. According to journalists, the gendarmes arrived at the call about a domestic quarrel on Wednesday night. When officers approached the suspect’s house, a 48-year-old man opened fire on them, killing three gendarmes. One officer was wounded and hospitalized.

The criminal set fire to his house and fled the scene of the crime. The house was completely burned down.

The wife of the offender, who was hiding from him on the roof, was evacuated to a safe place.

A version of the attacker’s mental health problems is being considered. Prior to that, he had already attracted the attention of law enforcement officers because of disputes over children’s guardianship.