The suspected killer of 7 people in South Western France is now dead.

This is the moment police took control of the situation this morning in Toulouse at Mohamed Merah's apartment after a 30 hour stand-off.

Last week he embarked on a shooting spree killing a rabbi, three Jewish children and three French paratroopers in an attempt to "bring France to its knees", saying he was inspired by al-Qaeda.

After the persistent gunfire at the five-story building just before 11 o'clock this morning, reports came through that special forces officers used gas to try and paralyse Merah.

Interior Minister Claude Gueant said officers had thrown grenades and got into the flat through doors and windows. Apparently Merah was found in the bathroom. It's not yet clear if he was killed or had taken his own life before police stormed the building.