Some new information is coming out about "Africa". So far, he stole someone's identity years ago, and isn't really a Frenchy. He's been convicted of a bank robbery with injuries, and a high speed pursuit.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/03/04/the-troubled-past-and-stolen-identity-of-the-homeless-man-killed-by-los-angeles-police/