The gunman who opened fireplace on a crowd of individuals in Paris had a historical past of anti-migrant violence, officers mentioned Friday.
Suspected racist motivations behind the assault shall be investigated, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau mentioned.
Visiting the positioning of the taking pictures, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin mentioned the gunman was not beforehand identified by intelligence officers for membership in ultra-right-wing teams or extremism.
The suspect “obviously” acted alone, Darmanin mentioned. He will testify quickly after his remedy within the hospital, he added.
The man “was targeting foreigners” Darmanin informed reporters whereas including it was “not certain” that he was aiming to kill “Kurds in particular.”
Darmanin additionally mentioned an official investigation will assist make clear the incident.
No clear hyperlink to Türkiye
Despite pro-PKK circles’ claims, there seems to be no proof that Friday’s taking pictures had political motives or was linked to Türkiye, Agency France-Press (AFP) reported.
French authorities have been extraordinarily cautious about suggesting a motive, with early suspicions being racism.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, who visited the scene earlier, mentioned the suspect carried out two assaults prior to now, together with slashing not less than two migrants with a sword in a Paris camp final 12 months, police and judicial sources informed AFP.
The man is believed to have slashed a number of tents within the migrant camp at Bercy park in japanese Paris on Dec. 8, 2021.
In June 2016, he was convicted of armed violence by a court docket within the northeastern suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis, which he appealed.
A 12 months later, he was given a suspended six-month jail sentence for illegally possessing firearms, judicial sources informed AFP.
An investigation has been launched into murder, tried murder, and deliberate acts of armed violence, Beccuau added.
Meanwhile, the suspect, recognized as William M., was a prepare driver and had retired from France’s nationwide state-owned railway firm Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer français (SNCF) and had been staying along with his kin since being launched with judicial management on Dec. 12, sources mentioned.
6 police have been injured in clashes with terrorist PKK supporters
Terrorist PKK sympathizers clashed with French safety forces on Friday, leaving not less than six cops injured, after a lethal taking pictures.
The police responded with tear gasoline to the violence by the terrorist group supporters.
The violence began within the space after French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin visited the positioning of a taking pictures on Enghien Street within the middle of Paris.
Some pro-PKK protesters may very well be seen throwing objects at police and setting garbage bins on fireplace, whereas a number of vehicles have been broken throughout the disturbances.
A 69-year-old gunman in Paris had earlier opened fireplace, killing not less than three individuals and injuring three others, native media reported.
He was positioned in custody and an investigation was launched.
