In brief
In a grim turn of events, French President Emmanuel Macron has declared the gun‑point shooting that occurred in Trappes, a suburb of Paris, a racist terrorist attack. The incident, which lasted about fifteen minutes and left one dead and five injured, drew attention due to its apparent targeting of people of migrant origin. Macron emphasized the event as a historic shock to France’s Republic, urging citizens to resist ideologies that take root. Investigations are underway, with police and anti‑terrorism officials indicating the suspect’s links to a broader terrorist enterprise.
French President Emmanuel Macron has labelled a gun attack in a Parisian suburb that killed one person and injured five others “a racist terrorist attack”.
Macron said the attack was a “turning point in the life of our Republic and our nation” – the first time there has ever been a random racial killing like this.
The attack unfolded over some 15 minutes with the attacker opening fire from his car – first in Trappes to the south‑west of Paris, and then in nearby La Verrière – appearing to target people of migrant origin. He was subsequently arrested.
Three of those injured, including a 12‑year‑old girl, remain in a serious condition.
During a visit to the scene in Trappes, Macron said people had been targeted for their skin colour or religion and urged the public not to give an inch in the face of ideologies that take root.
The exact motive remains unclear, but the National Anti‑Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) said the incident appeared to be “murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise”.
The suspect, named Kevin T, 39, had four previous convictions that were automatically expunged. He was known to police but not to France’s intelligence services, local media report.
He was not on a list of individuals considered a serious threat to French security, the national anti‑terrorism prosecutor’s office told BFMTV. A member of the suspect’s immediate family circle was also taken into custody on Friday.
The Mayor of Trappes, Ali Rabeh, described the event: “An individual fired shots from his vehicle at several people he encountered.” He added that the gunman “fired randomly” with the intent to cause as many casualties as possible.
Witnesses said the grey Renault Clio drove through several neighbourhoods, shooting at a petrol station, a medical centre and a playground before heading to La Verrière. The attacker was detained on the main N10 road that runs through the town.
The mother of the injured 12‑year‑old told radio broadcaster RTL that her daughter suffered eight gunshot wounds and needed surgery. She questioned whether the child’s headscarf was a reason for the attack and condemned the violence against a French-born child.
Investigators noted that the suspect used an older‑style semi‑automatic weapon, described as a Category A weapon capable of burst fire and dating back to World War Two. The anti‑terrorist office is also looking into possible conspiracy with a terrorist group to prepare crimes against persons.
