FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top politics stories again. We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Prosecutor Christophe Barret said police found an abandoned car near the scene containing a replica firearm that led them to the 47-year-old suspect. One woman was killed with a knife after contacting authorities and was found by police with her three stab wounds, according to local media.

EPA There is a huge police president in the area as authorities try to track down the gunman

Shots were heard after the attacker entered the Green Oaks care home, located in Montferrier-sur-Lez, shortly after 9.30pm yesterday. Witnesses say the masked man was wearing a hoody and armed with a knife and sawn-off shotgun.

EPA Police officer Christophe Barret addresses the media outside the home

EPA The search for the gunman continues

One source claimed a caretaker was bound and gagged by the attacker but was able to free herself and contact police after escaping from the home in Montferrier-sur-Lez, a small commune around 10km north of Montpellier. Armed police are surrounding the Maison de Retraite des Missions Africaines (African Missions Retirement Home) as they try to get the situation under control.

Located in Montferrier-sur-Lez, the home houses 70 retired missionaries who have worked in Africa, as well as several nuns. Montferrier-sur-Luz Mayor Michel Fraysse said: "A large number of security forces, firefighters and ambulance personnel are at the scene."

TWITTER Police have surrounded the home following the shooting with the gunman believed to still be inside

TWITTER A man and a woman have reportedly been killed in the attack

One woman, a resident was assassinated Official

The victim is believed to be a nun who lived at the home. An official said: "One woman, a resident was assassinated. The security forces have evacuated the residents, about 60, who are safe and sound." Police conducted room-to-room searches of the property as they tried to get the situation under control.

EPA Police remain at the scene as the total number of casulaties has not yet been officially confirmed

Tributes to the murdered woman have poured in on social media. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, spokesman for the French Catholic bishops’ conference, tweeted his condolences for the victim and added: “Our prayers reach out also to the missionaries attacked in their retirement home in the Herault (region). God give them all peace.”

SKY NEWS A gunman has stormed a retirement home in Montpellier, France