France shooting probe focuses on paratroopers

Sarkozy also talked about the paratroopers killed in two attacks in Toulouse and nearby Montauban. The killer in those attacks also came and went on a motorbike and shot from the same weapon as the one used in Monday's school killing.

"Is it because they had come back from Afghanistan? Is it because they came from visible minorities? We don't know," Sarkozy asked about the paratroopers who were killed.

The French Defense Ministry has said the paratroopers didn't serve in Afghanistan, but one family says their son did. Other families have refused to comment on the topic.

France is holding a two-pronged presidential election on April 22, with a runoff expected May 6, in which issues about religious minorities and race have gained prominence. Sarkozy, a conservative, is known for his hard line against increased immigration.

Sarkozy also met Tuesday with members of France's Jewish and Muslim community. France has western Europe's largest population of both Jews — about half a million — and Muslims — about 5 million.

The terror threat level was raised to scarlet across a swath of southern France — the highest level since the four-point system was created in 2003.

In Toulouse, France's bustling fourth city, streets were emptier than normal. In one main square, Place Wilson, a dozen police officers were on patrol, some guarding the subway entrance.

In Paris, police bearing automatic weapons stood in front of Jewish schools.

"It's impossible not to imagine the worst, because it can happen to any child in France," said Mendy Sarfati, a father dropping his three children off at a Jewish school in Paris. "We want to put this drama behind us and for the French Republic to draw lessons from it."

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[AnnieDanny]

Like the article says, when a gunman actually GRABS a little girl in order to put a bullet in her head: that's when it's a step up to a real monster. And THAT is why it hit the headlines the way it did. It's bad enough when paratroopers are targeted, yes, it's very horrible.

But to walk up and grab little schoolchildren waiting for the school doors to open: that's something that breaches everything human. Pure demonic, pure evil. There are no words for it, and no punishment good enough. Not in this life, anyway.

[askagain]

legalbutnotjust - Compare the populations between France and the United States. The population of the United States is five time greater than the population of France. If both countries had the same number of crimes per 1,000 people, the United States would have significantly more crimes than France just based on population. Hopefully, you took this into consideration.

[John782011]

To the families of all the victims, hopefully you will find peace.