Toulouse hunt: Kalashnikov-armed ‘scooter-shooter’ trapped in house

The suspected serial killer behind Monday’s murder of three children and a rabbi at a Jewish school, is trapped inside his home by French RAID special forces.

­The suspect, identified as Mohammed Merah, has barricaded himself in and has so far has refused to give himself up.

Two policemen were wounded in an attempt to storm the suspect’s house, which he repelled. Police claim they want him alive, so he can be brought to justice.

Reports suggest the suspect planned to surrender this afternoon.

Merah is heavily armed, believed to have an Uzi machine gun, Kalashnikov assault rifle and other weapons. If he does not surrender, police are expected to launch a second assault on the premises.

More identity details are emerging as the siege continues. 

According to Kandahar prison director, he was arrested in Afghanistan for planting bombs and had been sentenced to three years in jail. But was broken out of prison in Taliban mass jailbreak, Reuters reports.

The suspect is a French national of Algerian descent. He claims connections with Al-Qaeda and gives two reasons for the attacks – “to take revenge for Palestinian children killed in the Middle East” and “to attack the French army because of its foreign interventions.”

Police have been negotiating with the suspect since the dawn raid. Earlier the gunman exchanged a handgun for a phone, but recently he has stopped talking to police.

His mother and brother were brought to the scene, but she claims she has little influence on him while his brother has been placed under arrest.

The French Interior Ministry says Merah has been tracked for several years by the intelligence service. Merah is also believed to be behind the killing of three soldiers of North African origin last week. 

The same Colt 45 handgun was used in all attacks and in each case the gunman was driving a Yamaha scooter with his face hidden by a motorcycle helmet.

Paule residence where French policemen, members of the RAID special forces unit, attempt to arrest a suspected Al-Qaeda gunman on March 21, 2012 in Toulouse, southwestern France (AFP Photo / Remy Gabalda)
Paule residence where French policemen, members of the RAID special forces unit, attempt to arrest a suspected Al-Qaeda gunman on March 21, 2012 in Toulouse, southwestern France (AFP Photo / Remy Gabalda)French policemen and firefighters stand near the place where French policemen, members of the RAID special forces unit, attempt to arrest a suspected Al-Qaeda gunman on March 21, 2012 in Toulouse, southwestern France (AFP Photo / Remy Gabalda)
French policemen and firefighters stand near the place where French policemen, members of the RAID special forces unit, attempt to arrest a suspected Al-Qaeda gunman on March 21, 2012 in Toulouse, southwestern France (AFP Photo / Remy Gabalda)

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