Shooting reported in kosher supermarket in Paris: Updates

BBC News reports that French police have evacuated the area of a reported shooting in eastern Paris on Friday.

According to reports, at least one person was injured and seriously wounded, while at least five hostages were taken at a kosher supermarket in Paris' Porte de Vincennes district. French media have reported that the attacker at the kosher store was seen carrying two machine guns.

Police sent heavily-armed units to the scene and have sealed off the area surrounding the store. The Associated Press reports that all of the stores in Paris' Jewish Marais neighborhood have been ordered closed by French police. Police have also helped people leave the area surrounding the supermarket, and the Paris Police Department advised people to "avoid the area."

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Officials have suggested the gunman may be the same person who killed a Paris policewoman on Thursday. BBC News has confirmed with police that at least two people are dead, though France's Interior Ministry has reportedly denied the two deaths.

Police have named two suspects in connection with the supermarket siege, one of whom is believed to be linked to Wednesday's Charlie Hebdo attack. "The latest advances in the investigation allows us to establish a connection" between the incidents, France's Prime Minister Manuel Valls said Friday.

This is a breaking news story. We'll update as we know more.