Driver in France Texted 'Bring More Weapons'

7 people have been detained in connection with the attack
By Luke Roney,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 17, 2016 3:39 PM CDT
Driver in France Texted 'Bring More Weapons'
Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel   (Kapitalis via AP)

French authorities have arrested two more people—a man and a woman—in connection with the Thursday terror attack in which Mohamed Lahaouaiej Bouhlel drove a large truck through Bastille Day crowds in Nice, France. The man, a 37-year-old, is suspected of giving weapons to Bouhlel, 31, who was shot and killed by police during the rampage, the Telegraph reports. Just before the attack, according to reports, Bouhlel sent a text that read: "Bring more weapons, bring five of them to C." In another text, he says: "I've got the material." The latest people arrested were described as an "Albanian couple," per the Telegraph. With the latest arrests, seven people have thus far been detained for having a possible link to the attack, the Washington Post reports, though Bouhlel's ex-wife was released Sunday.

As authorities in France investigate the third major terror attack in that country in 18 months, additional details have emerged. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls tells a French newspaper, "We now know that the killer was radicalized very quickly." The Los Angeles Times reports Bouhlel started frequenting a mosque just three months ago; prior to that, acquaintances say he did things that don't jibe with Muslim codes, like smoke pot and wear shorts. Footage from security cameras in Nice shows Bouhlel driving along the Promenade Des Anglais on the two days before the attack. Beaches in Nice have re-opened, per the Post, "creating a jarring contrast between the tourists frolicking in the gentle Mediterranean surf and the blood-stained pavement above." (More Nice, France stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X