The murder of a Tunisian man by his French neighbour in southern France, which is being investigated as a terror crime, has horrified the local community and raised alarm over rising racism in the country.

Tributes poured in from shocked neighbours and friends mourning the murder of Hichem Miraoui, with more than a dozen bouquets placed outside the barbershop where he worked in the quiet town of Puget-sur-Argens.

"I don't understand why he was killed. Why all this hatred?" said Sylvia Elvasorre, a 65-year-old pensioner who lives next to the hair salon, tears in her eyes.

Marwouen Gharssalli, 43, echoed her disbelief, saying his friend was generous and willing to lend a helping hand.

"He even cut hair for free when people couldn't pay... he regularly used to cut my son's hair," said Gharssalli, a welder in the southern town.

A card signed by fellow shopkeepers said the death of Miraoui -- remembered as hard-working and warm -- would "leave a void".

Christophe B., a French national, shot and killed Miraoui, 46, on Saturday evening before injuring another........

© Al Monitor