The suspected extremist gunman who killed three near Strasbourg's iconic Christmas market has been shot dead.
Chérif Chekatt had been on the run since Tuesday after the attack, which also left 13 people injured.
He was killed after a police operation was launched in the Neudorf-Meinau area of the French city at about 9pm local time.
French interior minister Christophe Castaner told reporters three police officers came across a man in the street that they believed was Chekatt and went to arrest him.
Chekatt turned to fire on them and they shot and killed him, Mr Castaner added.
"I think it will help to get back to a life that I would describe as normal," Strasbourg Mayor Roland Ries told reporters after news emerged that he had been killed.
"With the death of this terrorist... citizens, like me are relieved."
Three to four gunshots were reportedly heard after armed police officers and units launched their operation, backed up by a helicopter circling overhead.
Police had conducted a search for Chekatt, a 29-year-old who was born in Strasbourg, earlier in the day in the same neighbourhood.
He had a string of convictions for crimes including armed robbery, been flagged for extremism and was on a watch list.
More than 700 officers were involved in the manhunt following Tuesday's attack and a terror investigation has also been opened.
In the wake of the attack, the French government has increased its terror alert level nationwide and deployed 1,800 additional soldiers across the country to help patrol streets and secure crowded events.
Among those who died in the attack was Thai tourist Anupong Suebsamarn, who was 45.
The death of father-of-three Kamal Naghchband, originally from Afghanistan, was announced on Thursday.
The third person to be killed is thought to be a 61-year-old retired bank worker from Strasbourg.
The city has been in mourning for the last two days, with candles lit and flowers left at the site of the attack. The Christmas market was closed again on Thursday.
