Signs of "latent radicalisation" have been detected in the attacker who knifed four co-workers to death at police headquarters in Paris, France's anti-terrorism prosecutor says.
An IT worker at the headquarters went on a seven-minute rampage on Thursday, killing three police officers and an administrative worker, and wounding at least one other, before being shot dead by police.
Anti-terrorism prosecutor Francois Ricard said his office had taken over the probe because of signs the crime was premeditated and because of the nature of injuries found on at least one of the victims.
The prosecutor also said the attacker had stated a desire to die.
Anti-terrorism prosecutor Francois Ricard is now leading the investigation. Source: AP
"The context of latent radicalisation" and messages of exclusively religious character the attacker sent to his wife shortly before the crime were added factors, Mr Ricard told a news conference on Saturday.
The investigation also revealed contacts between the attacker and several individuals who are likely to belong to an Islamist Salafist movement, Mr Ricard said.
The killer, 45, has been identified by officials only as Mickael H.
Ricard said that during a "deadly journey" the attacker first stabbed two police officers.
A third police officer was killed in another office and an administrative worker died on the stairs.
Five people have been arrested following the killing of four Paris police headquarters staff by a colleague. Source: ABACA
The attacker was born on the French island of Martinique and had worked at the police headquarters for several years. He converted to Islam about 10 years ago, Mr Ricard said.
