Police stand near the scene of a murder in France on Thursday. Photo: screenshot via Le Monde.

Echoing the recent murders committed by Al-Qaeda enthusiast Mohammed Merah in France, French police are now searching for a suspect involved in the deaths of four other people.

“The similarity of the modus operandi is both striking and frightening,” France’s LCI TV reported.

Two of the four murders were committed before Merah went on his killing rampage, where he murdered 3 Jewish school children, a rabbi, and 3 French soldiers.  The most recent murder occurred on Thursday when a 48 year old mother was gunned down outside her home before the suspect fled on a motorbike, similar to the way Merah fled from the scene of his crimes.

When asked if he believed Merah’s killing spree was linked to the new round of murders, French Interior Minster Claude Gueant said, “Yes, this is a concern.”

Speaking to Europe’s Radio 1, Gueant said French officials are aware that the death of Merah may be stoking a new round of violence.

‘We have noticed a renewed enthusiasm and a desire to avenge the death of Mohammed Merah,” he said. “‘Some radical Muslims may follow in his footsteps and try to become a martyr. We have to be vigilant,” he added.

Witnesses have said the killer was “of great size” and arrived on a Suzuki motorbike wearing a leather bomber jacket and a helmet.