The suspect in the murder of the Kurds in Paris was transferred to a mental institution

Investigators are considering a possible racial motive in Friday's shooting.

The shooting, which took place in a bustling district of central Paris, has raised concerns about hate crimes at a time when far-right voices have strengthened in France and across Europe in recent years.

The suspected attacker, who was wounded and was killed put it In detention, is a 69-year-old man who was accused last year of attacking immigrants, but was released earlier this month. The suspect has been convicted in the past of illegal weapons possession and armed violence.

The shooting shocked the Kurdish community in the French capital and sparked skirmishes between angry Kurds and the police.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said it was clear that the suspect was targeting foreigners, that he acted alone and was not officially associated with any far-right or other extremist movements.