CNN reported that the pair took a man hostage but released him before the firefight. Said the news outlet:
A salesman, who identified himself only as Didier, told France Info radio that he shook one of the gunman's hands at about 8:30 a.m. as they arrived at the business. Didier said he first thought the man, who was dressed in black and heavily armed, was a police officer.
As he left, the armed man said, "Go, we don't kill civilians." Didier said, "It wasn't normal. I did not know what was going on."
Another man, a worker at the print shop, was later found hiding inside the facility. According to NPR, French-language news outlet Itele said this man was "able to give [by text messages] tactical elements," including the gunmen's positions and movements.