Champs-Elysees terror attack: Paris prosecutors name attacker
Identified as Karim Cheurfi, the attacker was already a convicted criminal.
According to records, he had already been to jail four times for theft, attempted murder and violence.
The attacker used a Kalashnikov assault rifle to kill the police officer, a French official told journalist in Paris.
The victim, Xavier Jugelé, 37, was an active campaigner for gay rights, media reports said.
Meanwhile, the Islamic State, who claimed the attack, has identified the attacker as Abu-Yusuf al-Baljiki, raising suspicion over the presence of an accomplice.
Though a note sympathizing with Islamic State was found near Cheurfi's body, the prosecutors said that he wasn't radicalised.
Cheurfi, who last exited prison in Oct 2015, was described as psychologically fragile by his lawyers.
As the attack received widespread criticism from all corners with the presidential candidates calling for an early end to campaign, several people have accused the candidates of using the situation to gain political favour.
The French presidential election is scheduled for Sunday.
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