3 French terrorists and 4 hostages killed in twin hostage standoffs in Paris

Brothers Cherif (inset top left) and Said Kouachi (inset bottom left), who attacked & killed 12 people at Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday Jan. 7th have been killed by French police in a bloody standoff.

A third guy, Amedy Coulibaly (inset right), who was working with the brothers and killed a female police officer, was also killed by French police. Amedy is reported to have killed four people at the kosher grocery store (right) where he had been hiding with his girlfriend who was not caught. Full story after the cut...


From UK Daily Mail

Amedy Coulibay was shot dead after taking at least six hostages at a grocery store in east Paris. He is believed to be have been working with his girlfriend Hayat Boumeddiene (right) who was said to be 'armed and dangerous'

Three jihadists were dead tonight after special forces brought an end to more than two days of slaughter which have left at least 17 dead and spread terror across France.

Said and Cherif Kouachi, the brothers who had assassinated 12 people at satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, died in a blaze of gunfire at a printworks near Paris where they had been holed up with one hostage, who survived.

Moments later, dozens of commandos stormed a Jewish grocery 25 miles away in east Paris where accomplice Amdey Coulibay was threatening to kill a number of people including women and children.

The 32-year-old, responsible for the death of a woman police officer on Thursday, was also ‘neutralised’ in the assault. Tragically, four hostages were also killed while another five were badly wounded.

There were reports tonight that another gunman had escaped the scene 

Coulibay is thought to have been working with his 'armed and dangerous' girlfriend Hayat Boumeddiene, whose whereabouts is unknown.

Gunfire and explosions had been heard at the first hostage siege after police had surrounded the gunmen at an industrial estate 25 miles from Paris.

The siege reached a bloody climax when the brothers reportedly 'came out firing' after a nine-hour stand-off. 

They had earlier told police negotiators: 'We are ready to die as martyrs'. 

At around 4.30pm, people living nearby reported hearing three or four loud explosions followed by several gunshots.  

More explosions followed and smoke could be seen rising from the building. Others reported seeing ambulances race to the scene.

A short time later three French special forces officers could be seen on the roof of the building.

Then, at around 5.30 pm, three large helicopters arrived at the scene and landed on the roof. The hostage was named as Michel Catalano.

His family were gathered at their detached home in the nearby village of Othis as the siege came to a dramatic end in Dammartin-en-Goele. 

Police were last night stationed outside the property. One officer told MailOnline: 'The family are all here. They have come to support Mrs Catalano. They are all gathered together but they are too upset to speak.' 

Atlantis Farina, 17, who lives close to the scene was returning from high school shortly after 4pm when he heard explosions.

'The ground here started shaking, that is what shocked me most,' he said. 'Then there was lots of what sounded like gunfire, it sounded like the suspects were firing back at the police. 

'There was smoke too - like they had thrown a grenade. I am so glad it is over, it bought panic to the area. My mum was very worried, and I was quite scared too.' 

Philippe Lapotre, 63, was at his home across a field from the factory when he heard the explosions followed by gun fire and came out to see.

'My friends and family have been calling me all day to see if I was ok,' he said. 'When I came out, three huge Puma helicopters came over.'

Carole and Thierry Charpentier were at home when the siege ended. 'We have been at home, just watching the television all day,' said Mrs Charpentier. 

'We are so very relieved it is over, and are glad the police have got the suspects and the hostage is free.