At least one of the attackers near the Stade de France intended to detonate his explosive vest inside the venue, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.
A security guard discovered the vest at the entrance of the stadium while frisking the attacker, who attempted to back away from security before detonating the device.
Two suicide attacks followed shortly after, one outside the stadium and another at a nearby McDonald’s.
Local police suspect the attacker’s intention was to set off the bomb inside France’s national soccer stadium, inciting panic and a deadly stampede.
The blasts occurred early in the first half of an exhibition game between France and Germany, and witnesses said they were heard inside the stadium. The explosions were also heard on the television broadcast, however, many thought it was the sound of firecrackers.
The incident was one of many deadly attacks carried out in France Friday which left at least 129 people dead, 352 injured and 99 in critical condition.