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Emergency services secure a street in central Paris
Photo: SARAH MEYSSONNIER / REUTERS
After the deadly attack at a Kurdish cultural center in Paris, the alleged perpetrator reportedly confessed to a "pathological hatred of foreigners."
The French media unanimously report this, citing the Paris public prosecutor's office.
"I wanted to kill migrants or foreigners"
Since a burglary six years ago, the man had "always wanted to kill migrants or foreigners".
A racist motive had already been included in the investigation into intentional killing and serious violence on Saturday.
On Friday, the perpetrator fired several shots and killed three people in front of a Kurdish community center, a restaurant and a hairdressing salon.
Three other people were injured in the attack in the tenth arrondissement of Paris.
According to reports, the man originally wanted to attack people in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis, which is heavily influenced by migrants.
He went there armed "to commit murders of foreigners," it said.
Then he abandoned his plan because there were only a few people on site and he could not easily reload his gun because of his clothes.
Suspect was admitted to psychiatric facility
According to the public prosecutor's office, the man had only recently been released from custody under judicial supervision.
Last year he attacked a migrant camp and injured several people.
According to media reports, he attacked with a saber.
In 2016 he is said to have attacked a person with a knife.
The broadcaster France Info reported, citing police circles, that the man was known for two attempted killings.
According to the Kurdish umbrella organization »Democratic Kurdish Council in France«, all the victims are Kurdish activists.
The alleged perpetrator, a 69-year-old Frenchman, was arrested and taken to a psychiatric ward.
A doctor found that the man's state of health was not compatible with a stay in police custody, it was said.
As the Paris public prosecutor announced, the suspect should be brought before an investigating judge as soon as his condition allows.
swe/dpa
