Nice Attacker Had Prior ‘Violence’ Conviction, Official Says

— -- French investigators have uncovered new details about the 31-year-old man identified as the truck driver who killed more than 80 people in what officials called a “terrorist attack” in Nice, France, late Thursday.

The killer has been identified as Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, a Tunisian citizen and resident of Nice who worked as a delivery man, according to French prosecutor Francois Molins. Bouhlel, who was married, was convicted on assault-related charges earlier this year, but he was not known to have any links to terrorist groups, Molins said. Prior to his conviction earlier this year, Bouhlel had a petty criminal past, known to police for assault and theft between 2010 and 2006.

Molins said that the truck Bouhlel used in the attack was rented just a few days ago and that he armed himself with a handgun, ammunition and a grenade, which were found in the truck after the attack. Investigators also found a fake handgun and two fake military-style semi-automatic, Molins said.

Investigators are poring over Bouhlel’s phone as well as a computer that was taken during a pair of searches at locations linked to Bouhlel. His wife was picked up today and has been detained by authorities.

No extremist group has taken responsibility for the attack late Thursday, though jihadists with ISIS and al Qaeda have celebrated the carnage online.