THIS is the first picture of the suspected ISIS gunman shot dead by French cops after killing three and injuring 16 others in a gun rampage and supermarket hostage attack.

The attacker, named as 25-year-old Redouane Lakdim, was killed in a hail of bullets after anti-terror cops stormed the Super U store in Trebes, south-east of Toulouse.

20 Redouane Lakdim, 25, was named as the hostage murderer Credit: AFP

20 French security and police gather outside the supermarket in Trebes, southern France, where a hostage taker was shot dead Credit: AFP or licensors

Armed with a gun, knives and a grenade, the alleged extremist had earlier hijacked a car, shot its passenger in the head and fired at jogging police officers in nearby Carcassonne.

Moroccan Lakdim, who was jailed on drug charges in 2016, then drove the stolen car to the supermarket in Trebes where he killed a butcher and shopper before talking as many as 20 others hostage.

Lakdim had pledged allegiance to Syria and allegedly screamed "Vengeance for Syria!" during the attack and later demanded the release of Paris attacker Salah Abdeslam.

The police brought the hostage taker's mother, who lives in Carcassonne, to the superstore to persuade him to come out.

What we know about the attack so far

At least four were killed and 15 injured in the supermarket siege in town of Trebes

Gunman was named as Redouane Lakdim, who was arrested on drug charges in 2016

He began his rampage by hijaking a car and firing at a group of jogging policemen in Carcassonne

After the shooting, Lakdim drove to the Super U store around two miles away

There he killed a butcher and a shopper, wounded at least 16, and took several hostages

He pledged allegiance to ISIS, demanded the release of Paris attacker Salah Abdeslam

Police surrounded the market and brought in Lakdim's mother to persuade him to stop

Cops then laid siege to the supermarket and killed Lakdim, who is from Carcassonne

Reports claim Lakdim dropped his little sister off at school before the attack

A hero cop swapped places with a hostage but tragically later died after being shot in the neck

20 The killer, named as 26-year-old Redouane Lakdim, had dropped his sister off at school before the French supermarket siege. Police inspect the area where he killed three Credit: EPA

20 French police raided the flat where Lakdim lived Credit: AFP or licensors

20 Forensics teams checked a car that allegedly belonged to Lakdim Credit: EPA

20 Detectives scour through the French supermarket where Lakdim was gunned down Credit: EPA

"She's gone to talk to him – to try and get him to drop his weapons, and give up," said a source at the scene. "His sister is there too."

Chilling reports claim the killer dropped his little sister off at school before launching the terrifying attack in the British expat haven of Carcassonne.

Lakdim, who lived with his mother and four sisters at a council estate in Carcassonne, was known to the Directorate General of Homeland Security (DGSI), a police source told Le Parisien.

He is understood to have been "very active" on online jihadi forums and was subject to an S-file, which means the intelligence services considered him a security threat.

A woman linked to him, believed to be a relative, was tonight arrested as President Emmanuel Macron confirmed three were killed and 16 were injured — including a hero cop who traded places with a hostage.

20 One survivor revealed how people hid inside a supermarket freezer to evade Lakdim. These cops were seen at the scene after he was killed Credit: EPA

20 This is believed to be the moment Emmanuel Macron was told about the terror attack while he was at a European Union summit in Brussels Credit: AFP or licensors

20 Forensic police investigate after the gendarme's assault on the Super U supermarket where Lakdim was shot dead Credit: EPA

20 Police officers and investigators surrounded the supermarket where a gunman who claimed he was an ISIS supporter was killed Credit: EPA

20 The gunman fired six shots at a group of policeman who were jogging in Carcassonne, hitting one in the shoulder. One of the bullets shattered this car window Credit: PA:Press Association

His neighbour described him as "calm and nice", adding that he would visit the local Mosque regularly.

Lakdim is understood to have fired six shots at off-duty police officers while they were jogging, leaving one with life-threatening injuries after shooting him in the shoulder.

The attacker then stormed the Super U store and shot a store worker, understood to be a butcher, in the head.

He released seven hostages, leaving just him and another cop inside. France 24 reported a military officer traded himself for a hostage.

20 One survivor revealed how people hid inside a supermarket freezer to evade Lakdim Credit: EPA

20 The shooter is reported to have demanded the release of Paris attacker Salah Abdeslam before he was gunned down Credit: PA:Press Association

20 A military helicopter flies over the Super U supermarket where the gunman took hostages Credit: EPA

Mayor Eric Menassi told LCI TV: "The man entered the shop screaming "Allahu Akbar (God is greatest), I'll kill you all."

Carole, who was shopping at the supermarket, described how terrified shoppers sought refuge inside a freezer.

"A man shouted and fired several times. I saw a cold room door, I asked people to come and take shelter," she told Franceinfo radio.

"We were ten, and we stayed an hour. There were more gunshots and we went out the back door."

Gunman has killed at least two people in a 'terror attack' in a supermarket in Trebes near Carcassonne

20 Emergency vehicles arrive at the Super U supermarket where the suspected ISIS gunman was killed Credit: EPA

The shooter demanded the release of Abdeslam, who is on trial for attempted murder and possession of weapons over the 2015 Paris attacks in which 130 were murdered.

Mayor Menassi confirmed the attack and said seven hostages have since been released, leaving the gunman alone in the supermarket with another police officer.

A local from Carcassonne told The Sun Online how the sound of gunfire tore through the streets near his home.

He added: "Two cars towed, one dark blue vehicle with back window shot through and another white car."

20 French President Emmanuel Macron, pictured at a European Union summit, said all evidence suggested a terror attack Credit: AFP or licensors

20 Mayor Menassi confirmed seven hostages were released in the supermarket siege Credit: AP:Associated Press

20 The attacker fired six shots at cops before taking hostages at a supermarket in Trebes, southern France

20 Police brought the hostage taker's mother to the Super U, pictured from above, where he took hostages

AFP reported that ISIS took responsibility for the attack but the weakened terror group often does this as a propaganda tool, even when it is not associated with an incident.

There were initially conflicting reports amid the chaos of the shooting, with L'independent claiming two men shot at the cops from inside a car.

It claims one of the Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité officers was rushed to hospital after taking a bullet in the shoulder.

The cops who were shot at - all part of the CRS 57 unit based at Carcassonne - were off duty when they were attacked around two miles from the supermarket.

20 French gendarmes block the access to Trebes, where a man took hostages at a supermarket Credit: AFP or licensors

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said the situation was "very serious" and Interior Minister Gerard Collomb is heading to the site.

Trebes is in an area hugely popular with British second home owners, expats, and holidaymakers.

The shooting comes more than four years after a night of terror in Paris, when ISIS gunmen slaughtered 130 in coordinated attacks across the capital.

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Earlier this month, French president Emmanuel Macron said "France will strike" if chemical weapons were ever used against civilians in the Syrian civil war.

The Foreign Office says terrorists are "very likely to try to carry out attacks in France" due to the "ongoing threats to France by Islamist terrorist groups".

It advises: "You should be vigilant in public places and follow the advice of local French authorities.