11 Sep 2012

Gun used in French Alps shooting identified

12:04 pm on 11 September 2012

Investigators have identified the type of gun used in the killing of three members of a British family in the French Alps.

Iraqi-born Saad al-Hilli, 50, his wife and her mother and a cyclist were shot dead on Wednesday while on holiday.

Investigators say only one gun was used. Ballistics tests show 25 spent cartridges at the scene came from a 7.65mm calibre semi-automatic pistol.

The BBC reports that police have not formally revealed how many assailants they believe could have been involved at the scene.