Two people have died in a hostage situation in Paris, a policeman at the scene has confirmed.

At least five people were taken hostage in a Jewish supermarket after a shootout in which several people were injured. The BBC reports that a police officer at the scene has now confirmed that two people have been killed.

The gunman is thought to be the same man who fatally shot a female police officer on Thursday morning. The incident is unfolding at a kosher grocery store at Porte de Vincennes in the south east of Paris.

Police are evacuating the area, and heavily-armed police units are at the scene. Helicopters are hovering above, and emergency services are standing by.

There have been reports of shots fired, making it the third shooting in Paris in three days. Jewish restaurants are reportedly closing across Paris, and schools in the area are on lockdown.

Twelve people were killed in a shooting at the offices of satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris on Wednesday. Two men who carried out that attack, brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi, are believed to be hiding in a factory near Charles de Gaulle airport in another hostage situation.

It is unclear whether the two hostage situations are related. However, according to French media, police sources have said that the gunman in Porte de Vincennes has demanded the release of the Kouachis.

More to follow.