Bio

Mohammed Merah was born on October 10, 1988, in Toulouse, France. He was a French citizen from a family of Algerian background. He grew up in Toulouse and had a troubled youth. Merah traveled to Afghanistan and Pakistan and became known to French intelligence services. He later claimed links to al-Qaeda, but French authorities did not prove that he was acting under direct orders from the group.

Merah also tried to join the French military but was rejected because of his criminal record. By March 2012, he was unemployed and living in Toulouse. Investigators later said he targeted French soldiers because of France’s military role in Afghanistan and targeted Jewish civilians because of antisemitic beliefs. He was killed by police before he could stand trial.

Murder Story

In March 2012, Mohammed Merah carried out three shooting attacks in Toulouse and Montauban, France. He targeted French soldiers and Jewish civilians, including children. In total, seven people were killed.

The first attack happened on March 11, 2012, in Toulouse. Merah shot and killed Master Sergeant Imad Ibn Ziaten, a 30-year-old French paratrooper, after arranging to meet him through a motorcycle sale.

The second attack happened on March 15, 2012, in Montauban. Merah opened fire on uniformed French soldiers near a shopping area. Corporal Abel Chennouf and Private Mohamed Legouad were killed, and another soldier, Loïc Liber, was seriously wounded.

The third attack happened on March 19, 2012, at the Ozar Hatorah Jewish school in Toulouse. Merah killed Rabbi Jonathan Sandler, his two young sons Aryeh and Gabriel, and eight-year-old Miriam Monsonego. A teenage student was also seriously injured.

After the school attack, police launched a major manhunt. Investigators connected the shootings through the weapons, the scooter used by the attacker, and other evidence. Merah was later found at his apartment in Toulouse.

On March 21, 2012, police surrounded the apartment. Merah admitted responsibility during the standoff and said he had planned more attacks. The siege lasted about 30 hours.

On March 22, 2012, police stormed the apartment. Merah fired at officers and tried to escape through a window. He was shot and killed by police at the scene. Because Merah died before trial, he was never convicted in court. He remains identified as the attacker responsible for the Toulouse and Montauban shootings, which killed seven people.