Three police officers have been shot dead and a fourth one wounded in the village of Puy-de-Dome in central France, according to the French Interior Ministry. The officers, who were responding to a domestic violence call, were shot by a 48-year-old man as they attempted to rescue a woman. The three officers were aged 21, 37 and 45 years old, the ministry said in a statement.

The attacker allegedly shot at police when they arrived at the location and then set fire to the house. The woman who was reported as involved in the domestic violence incident is safe after seeking refuge on the roof of the house and was rescued by police.

The operation by France's Gendarmerie National Police to find the suspect is still underway.

"Gerald Darmn, Minister of the Interior, and Marlene Schiappa, Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Interior, express their deep sadness following the deaths on the mission of Lieutenant Cyrille Morel, Warrant Officer Remi Dupuis and Brigadier Arno Mavel, of the departmental gendarmerie group of Puy-de-Dome, killed during an intervention for domestic violence in Saint-Just," the ministry's statement read.

Notably, media also reported that the shooter, who was confirmed to be the rescued woman's spouse, has previously been known for child custody-related issues.

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