France fears serial killer responsible for recent murders

Monday, April 9, 2012

French authorities suspect a serial killer may be responsible for a recent string of shooting deaths. At present, four people have been murdered in the Paris suburb of Essonne in the past six months. Although a suspect was apprehended in November after the first shooting, three more incidents have occurred while the suspect remains in custody.

The fourth victim, a 47-year-old woman, was shot in the head Thursday. The other three shooting occurred on November 27, February 22, and March 17.

CNN affiliate BFM-TV reported that in relation to Thursday's killing, authorities are on the lookout for a blue-and-white Suzuki motorbike.

On Friday, Prosecutor Marie-Suzanne Le Queau told reporters that ballistic tests indicate all four incidents involved the same 7.65mm handgun. She also said there were 100 investigators on the case.

Last month in France, Frenchman Mohamed Merah committed seven murders. Merah, claiming inspiration from al-Qaeda, killed three Jewish schoolchildren, a rabbi in training, and three off-duty paratroopers before he was killed in a shootout with authorities.

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Sources

Ian Sparks. "French fear new serial killer after four people are murdered by gunman on a motorbike (just like Muslim fanatic who killed seven just weeks ago)" — Daily Mail, April 7, 2012
Laura Smith-Spark. "France serial killer fears grow after 4 shootings" — CNN, April 7, 2012
Paul Cockerton. "Another French serial killer? Fears grow after gunman shoots dead fourth victim in Paris suburb" — Daily Mirror, April 6, 2012

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