Family violence advances into national tragedy: French slays three police officers in central France

The suspect, 48, was known to authorities for issues related to child custody, then found himself dead.

A woman had fled to the roof of a house in a remote village near Saint-Just in the early hours of Wednesday's morning, writes BBC, translates Periscope.

The killer killed one cop and hurt another. Then he set his house on fire to kill two more policemen who had come to his aid. The escaped woman was saved.

President Emmanuel Macron said the whole nation shared the pain with police families.

elite police forces and firemen are still on the scene.

Saint-Just chairman Francois Chautard told Le Figaro that the house was burned and police officials were trying to figure out whether the suspect was still inside or had escaped.

Later, Interior Minister Gerald Darman confirmed that even the suspect had been found dead.

Police sources had told French media that the man in question was found dead in his car after allegedly committing suicide. /Periscope