French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday called a gun attack that killed one person and wounded several others in towns southwest of Paris "a racist terrorist attack."1,4,5,7
Speaking in Trappes, where the attack began, Macron said the attack was a "turning point in the life of our Republic and our nation" and that people had been targeted for their skin colour or religion. He urged the public not to give an inch in the face of what he called "ideologies taking root." Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the attack lasted less than 15 minutes. The gunman fired from his car first in Trappes and then in neighbouring La Verrière, and was arrested shortly afterward.1,4,5,7
Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh said the gunman "appeared to be firing at random and seemed intent on carrying out a massacre." "This was a terrorist attack with racist, likely Islamophobic, overtones," he said. Rabeh said the person killed was of African origin and that one of the critically wounded was of North African origin. He said people had been targeted at a petrol station, a medical centre and a playground in Trappes.1,4,5,7
Early reports put the number of wounded at four, and France 24 said the toll had risen from that count to five. The BBC and Al Jazeera gave five. Nuñez said three of the victims, including the girl, had life-threatening injuries. The mayor of La Verrière, Nicolas Dainville, told AFP that the girl had been "seriously wounded" but was in a stable condition. Her mother told the French broadcaster RTL that her daughter had suffered eight gunshot wounds and needed surgery, while Breitbart, citing local media, gave the number as 10.1,3,4,7,8
The mother, speaking to RTL, asked, "How could anyone do this to a child?" She said her daughter had been wearing a headscarf and questioned whether this was why she was attacked. "She's a child who was born in France, in Trappes. She has the right to live in France, to make her life in France," she added.1
French media named the suspect as Kevin T., a 39-year-old, and the national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office said he had four previous convictions that had been "automatically expunged." Local media reported that he was known to police but not to France's intelligence services. The prosecutor's office told BFMTV that he was not on a list of individuals considered a serious threat to French security. A member of his "immediate family circle" was also taken into custody on Friday.1,8
The reports differ on where he was arrested. A police union official told the BBC that he was detained in La Verrière on the N10 road, while France 24 said he was arrested in Coignières. A police source told France 24 that officers found him with a submachine gun and tear-gas grenades. A local police chief told BFMTV that the suspect had used "an older-style semi-automatic weapon" firing in bursts, and Le Parisien reported that the gun dated back to World War Two. Nuñez said the weapon appeared to be "a military-grade weapon, or at least an automatic weapon."1,4,5,7,8
Anti-terrorism prosecutors said the suspect's flat had been booby-trapped with three gas canisters and electric wires "connected to a timer," according to France 24. Asked about reports of the booby-trapping, Nuñez said, "We have heard those reports. The investigation will establish the facts." The National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation for "murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise" and said its inquiry also covers "possession of a Category A weapon" and "conspiracy with a terrorist group for the purpose of preparing crimes against persons." The BBC reported that the exact motive remained unclear. The prosecutor's office said the case included the aggravating circumstance that the act was committed on account of the victim's actual or perceived membership of a particular race, ethnic group, nationality or religion.1,5,7
Nuñez called the shooting "clearly a terrorist crime" and praised five officers from the anti-crime brigade who stopped the suspect. "I commend them for their swift response," he said. Aurore Bergé, the minister for gender equality and the fight against discriminations, said the girl was very seriously injured. "If a racist motive is established, I hope that the whole nation will stand alongside the residents of Trappes, La Verrière, and the victims. We cannot tolerate even the slightest racist remark in the French Republic," she said. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu wrote on X that the case was "very serious" and that "all resources of the security forces and the judiciary are fully mobilised." Macron wrote on X: "Our thoughts go out to the victims, their families, and all the residents of Yvelines. In this terrible ordeal, the Nation stands by their side."4,5,7
The shooting came as France prepared for more protests over the cost of living. Last week's demonstrations brought fires, looting and clashes with police in what Al Jazeera described as the country's most violent unrest in years. Nuñez said France would deploy 70,000 officers nationwide on Saturday, along with helicopters, armoured vehicles and water cannon. Many demonstrations have been banned. Far-right politicians say the government has not cracked down hard enough on protesters, while left-wing groups say security around demonstrations violates rights, Al Jazeera reported. Students, members of the Confederation of Labour and activists from the "yellow vest" movement are set to join the protests on Saturday.4,7
The investigation is being run by the national anti-terrorism prosecutors, and the reports did not include a statement from the suspect or his lawyer. Nuñez said the investigation would establish the facts.1,4,5,7
Macron called the attack a "racist terrorist attack," but the BBC reported that the exact motive remained unclear, and prosecutors are investigating whether it was racially motivated.1,4,5,7
