Lakdim, 25, had been placed on a watchlist, but ultimately authorities concluded the Moroccan-born French national did not pose a threat. His partner and a 17-year-old friend were in custody as investigators sought to understand events leading up to the attack. The shootings come as France remains on high alert following a string of deadly attacks that have killed more than 240 people since 2015. France has suffered a series of major Islamist attacks over the past three years, including the November 2015 attacks that killed 130 in Paris. The attack has rocked Trebes, a town of 5,000 located on the picturesque Canal du Midi.

Source: New Strait Times March 24, 2018 22:52 UTC