Grisly Church Killing Shakes France

French police officers stand guard in front of the Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray's city hall, Normandy, France, after an attack on a church that left a priest dead, Tuesday, July 26, 2016.

Two attackers armed with knives invaded a church Tuesday during morning Mass near the Normandy city of Rouen, killing an 84-year-old priest by slitting his throat and taking hostages before being shot and killed by police, French officials said.

French police officers and fire engine arrive at the scene of a hostage-taking at the church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

The siege ended when the hostage-takers were "neutralized" at the church in the town of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, police said. Another hostage was critically injured.

A policeman reacts as he secures a position in front of the city hall.

 The victim was named by Archbishop of Rouen Dominique Lebrun as Rev. Jacques Hamel, 86.

French soldiers and a police officer stand guard as they prevent the access to the scene of an attack in Saint Etienne du Rouvray.

A French police officer stands guard by Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray's city hall.

A policeman holds a HKG36 assault rifle as he secures the position in front of the city hall.

French President Francois Hollande, left, holds and speaks with Hubert Wulfranc mayor of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray as he arrives in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray.

Hollande blamed the "cowardly acts" on ISIS-linked terrorists.

A French soldiers stands guard as he prevents the access to the scene of an attack.

Members of French special police forces of Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI) are at the scene during a raid after a hostage-taking in the church.

A French policeman arrests a man following a search in a house after the church terror attack.