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A terrorist who used a hired lorry to kill at least 84 people in a rampage during Bastille Day celebrations in Nice has been named as a convicted criminal well known to the police for armed attacks.
Tunisian-born Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, a 31-year-old delivery driver is described as a "weird loner" who "became depressed" when his wife left him.
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| People cross the street with their hands on thier heads as a French soldier secures the area CREDIT: JEAN-PIERRE AMET/REUTERS |
He was reported to be a French passport holder who lived in the Riviera city and was regularly in trouble with the law.
At least 10 children are among the dead following the "cowardly and barbaric" atrocity that left at least one British national among the many injured.
Officials feared the death toll will rise, as dramatic footage emerged of the mass killer being shot dead by police in the cab of his truck.
As hundreds remained in hospital - including 18 fighting for their lives in intensive care - investigators have been searching the home of Bouhlel in the Abattoirs area of Nice and carried out a controlled explosion on a white box van nearby.
The driver reportedly zig-zagged his way through the crowds along the promenade.
Investigating sources said Bouhlel's last appearance in a criminal court was as recently as March, when he was found guilty of violent contact. Despite this, he had no known links with terrorism and was not under surveillance.
An operation is currently underway at the dead suspect’s home in Nice and is being raided by officers, sources say.
Neighbour: 'He would always rant about his wife'
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| Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel's front door CREDIT: TOM MORGAN |
Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel was recently estranged from his wife who now lives nearby, neighbours have told The Telegraph's Tom Morgan.
One said he was a "loner who was rude."
A neighbour who gave her name only as Jasmine, 40, said: "He was rude and bit weird. We would hold the door open for him and he would just blank him.
"He kept himself to himself, but would always rant about his wife. He had martial problems and would tell people in the local cafe.
"He scared my children though. They will be scarred by this. They were down there last night - they are 13 and 7 - they could have been involved."
She added: "He was very smart with the same haircut as George Clooney."
His neighbour - who lived next door - and didn't want to be named, said: "To be honest I hardly ever saw him.
"He was well dressed, and the last time I saw him he was with two other guys. I can't remember when it was."
Source: Daily Telegraph
