Kori Ali Muhammad, 39, shot and killed three people on the streets of downtown Fresno on Tuesday and was trying to murder as many white people as he could, authorities said

A California judge ordered a mental evaluation for the suspect in a racially motivated shooting rampage in Fresno after he entered a cramped courtroom yelling 'Let black people go.'

Kori Ali Muhammad, 39, was brought into the courtroom Friday and immediately shouted that natural disasters will increasingly hit the United States.

He then shouted twice during the minute-long hearing 'Let black people go,' and something similar to 'in reparations'.

Muhammad was supposed to be officially charged with first-degree murder in the killing of unarmed security guard Carl Williams.

Authorities have said that this was the first of four killings, and that Muhammad then killed three more people in the rampage, targeting white victims, before he was caught.

He was supposed to be charged with first degree murder, but county Judge Kent Hamlin (pictured) cancelled the hearing after his outbursts

Police have said that Muhammad told them that learning he was wanted for the Williams' killing prompted him to try to kill as many white people as possible before he was caught.

He shot three other white men at random Tuesday, police said, including a Pacific Gas & Electric utility worker sitting in a truck and two men who had come out of a Catholic Charities building.

Muhammad fired 17 rounds in less than two minutes, police said.

Following the outbursts in court, his appointed lawyer, Eric Christensen (pictured), then told the judge: 'I believe this gentleman may not be mentally competent to proceed'

Muhammad posted a number of photos on Facebook donning turbans and head jewelry and wearing pro-black clothing, and previously posted about his dislike of white people

Following the outbursts in court, his appointed lawyer, Eric Christensen, then told the judge: 'I believe this gentleman may not be mentally competent to proceed.'

Muhammad yelled again and the judge canceled the proceedings, setting bail at $2.6 million and ordering a mental evaluation for Muhammad. His arraignment is set for May 12.

Officers arrested him less than five minutes after the rampage began on Tuesday.

Pastors and church leaders in the Fresno area meet outside Catholic Charities in Fresno, California during a prayer walk vigil for the victims of Tuesday's shooting

Muhammad said Williams showed him disrespect while he was visiting a woman at Motel Six, according to police.

Prosecutors said they are waiting for investigators to finish compiling their case before filing charges related the other three victims.

Christensen after the court hearing declined comment about his client or the authorities' case.

Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer earlier this week called the acts 'unprovoked' and 'solely based on race'. They are investigating the incident as a hate crime.

Dyer added that the killings had 'nothing to do with terrorism in spite of the statement he made.'

Dyer continued: 'These individuals who were chosen today did not do anything to deserve what they got.

'These were unprovoked attacks by an individual that was intent on carrying out homicides today. He did that.'