Scooter Murderer(s) Terrorises Southern France...

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

Children and teacher killed in Toulouse and last week French Paras gunned down in Montauban. Not known if the two incidents are connected at this stage.

Some French officials are linking the attacks (identical modus operandi, same calibre weapon) - three French soldiers are dead and one in a coma from the earlier attacks. The soldiers were of north African origin, and at least one is reported as Muslim. RIP to all victims of all attacks.

One commentator has said that it's impossible to say yet if this is about race, religion or just the work of a lunatic.

The BBC is reporting that the city is in a lockdown; and if this proves to be a serial killer whose pattern is changing, it must be terrifying as anyone could be next. French police are pouring into the city; I hope there is an arrest soon.

He is a good piece from the BBC about the murders including those of the soldiers, one of whom was shortly to be a father.

SKY are reporting that. The other channels might be holding off until the French authorities confirm the identities of the dead. If you were, say, the aunt or grandparent of the deceased, wouldn't you rather find out privately than from a news broadcast?

I agree - it is just horrible.

I hope the French authorities find the perpetrator before anyone else is harmed.

My guess is that the shooter is some inadequate far-right sort, whipped up by the racist/anti-semitic/anti-islamic/xenophobic election rhetoric of Le Pen's Front National and others, blaming 'les etrangers' for his own shortcomings. The soldiers were North African & Caribbean origin, the school victims were Jewish. Anyone 'different' could be the next target and I hope the police catch him first.

Yes, three of the victims are from the same family and the fourth is an 8 year old girl who's father is a teacher at the school.

Makes me so :( was crying earlier thinking of that mum who lost her DH and two kids when he went to drop them off at school. Am super emotional anyway cos of early pregancy (and my kids are smiliar ages)

so sad

and so bloody scary

So sad. That poor mother and the parents of the little girl as well.

I really hope the French authorities have more knowledge than they are making public; for it seems that right now they have little to go on. And what's to stop this person getting on a train and heading to a different city next? It is terrifying.

so sad

France is on 'scarlet alert' for terrorist attacks, the highest level for the first ever time

they also believe there will be more attacks

It's terrible. I also hope that police know more than they are letting on, because it seems clear this man is not going to stop.

Apparently he chased and grabbed the little girl by the hair and shot her in the head.

I'm worried that as all the police/gendarmerie/intelligence forces are in Toulouse right now, he'll travel somewhere else for his next attack.

Didn't see your post, Edith. Yes, I have to say I'm feeling a bit tense here in Paris and I'm not the only one.

Procurator said today that they actually haven't discredited the former members of the regiment which is what was reported earlier.

Latest.... gunman surrounded by police in a house in the area. Been under suspicion since the soldiers were murdered. Claims Al Quaeda connections which was always a possibility. Let's hope they've got him.

Two police officers have been injured (shot?) during the operation.

Details still emerging.

Suspect tracked via the emails he exchanged to lure first victim to the deadly appointment.

Islamist links looking likeliest.

Link to BBC account of events so far.

Fuck. It's great that they got him, but the fact that he claims to be a jihadist..it'll be great for Front National and the whole anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Apparently he was a part of some group that the government disbanded last month. Makes you wonder whether there's more of them readying for another attack.

MrsMicawber- apparently she said that she has lost all influence over him long ago.

What I'm about is the fact that they found his idendity by following the emails send to the first soldier in response to his ad to sell his bike. It led them to the brother of this suspect who also had connections to the extremist circles. The suspect was known to have trained in Afganistan and was on files of the police as someone potentially dangerous.

Therefore, with all the technology etc, why did it take so long to get to identify him? It was done on Monday afternoon. You would think that following up the few responses the soldier got to his ad wouldn't take a week and a half.