It turns out that the ISIS terrorist who murdered a policeman and wounded two others in Paris Thursday night had a history of trying to kill cops.

The UK Daily Mail reports that Karim Cheurfi, 39, had served 15 years of a 20-year jail sentence for attempting to kill two officers in 2001. He was released only last year. Already by late February, he was arrested for tried to obtain weapons with which to kill police officers, but was released due to lack of evidence.

That led to this week's slaying in which the jihadist opened fire with a Kalashnikov at police who were stopped at a red light on the Champs Elysees. Inside his car were a shotgun, knives, and -- shocker -- a copy of the Koran.

Traffic officer Xavier Jugele, 37, died instantly from a shot to the head. Two other cops were hurt before Cheurfi was shot and killed by armed police who arrived on the scene. A passing female foreign tourist was struck by a ricocheting bullet from Cheurfi's gun as well. 

An eyewitness said, "It was a terrorist. He came out with a Kalashnikov and started shooting, but he could've shot us on the pavement and killed more people with a spray of shots. But he targeted the policemen and fortunately there were the policemen who killed him."

ISIS swiftly claimed responsibility for the attack by "Abu Yousuf al-Belgiki" -- Abu Yousuf the Belgian -- a nickname listed in uncovered ISIS documents from last year.

The Daily Mail revealed that "a note declaring allegiance to ISIS was discovered on the Champs Elysees and is being investigated by police. Its presence and the speed at which ISIS claimed responsibility may suggest the attack was directed by the jihadist group rather than carried out by a lone supporter."

French officials denied that the French-born Cheurfi was on a security watch list and declared that he showed no signs of radicalization prior to the attack -- apart from, you know, the constant desire to massacre policemen.

A friend of the family told the Daily Mail that Cheurfi was a recluse who blamed police for ruining his life. Newsflash, Karim: if you didn't want your life to be ruined by going to prison, maybe you shouldn't have tried to murder cops.

Reportedly he did not attend a mosque but became fascinated by jihadist propaganda on the internet. "Karim did not pray, he drank alcohol and watched jihadist propaganda," said neighbor Hakim.

French President Francois Hollande called the attack "terrorist related" and said a national tribute will be paid to the policeman. Meanwhile, officers have arrested three of Karim's family members.