Macron calls deadly Paris-suburb shooting racist terrorist attack

French President Emmanuel Macron has called a shooting spree in the western Paris suburbs a “terrorist and racist attack” after one person was killed and five others wounded. He said the incident marked a turning point for France, while the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation into murder linked to a terrorist enterprise. The attack unfolded on Friday morning across Trappes and nearby La Verrière.

According to reports from the BBC and France 24, the gunman fired from a car over roughly 15 minutes, apparently targeting people because of their perceived race, immigrant background or religion. The suspect was later arrested in the surrounding area. The reported death toll is consistent across the accounts, although early coverage described the number of injured as four before it rose to five.

Three wounded people, including a 12-year-old girl, were reported by the BBC to be in serious condition. France 24 said the girl had been shot eight times but was stable, citing La Verrière’s mayor. The child’s mother told RTL that her daughter had been wearing a headscarf and questioned whether that was why she was attacked.

The reports do not establish that this was the motive, but prosecutors are examining whether victims were targeted because of their real or supposed race, ethnicity, nationality or religion. Trappes mayor Ali Rabeh said the attacker appeared to fire randomly from a grey Renault Clio, apparently seeking to cause as many casualties as possible. The BBC reported that shots were fired near a petrol station, a medical centre and a playground before the vehicle continued towards La Verrière.

France 24 said two cleaners of African origin were among those shot after the gunman stopped in the neighbouring town. Authorities have provided differing details about the arrest location. The BBC reported that the suspect was detained in La Verrière, while France 24, citing a police source, said he was arrested in nearby Coignières.

Both accounts identify him as a 39-year-old man. French media have named him as Kevin T, although that identification was not independently established in the supplied reports. The BBC said the suspect had four previous convictions that had been automatically expunged and was known to police but not to intelligence services.

He was reportedly not on a list of people considered a serious security threat. France 24 reported that officers found a submachine gun and tear-gas grenades, and that prosecutors said his flat had been fitted with gas canisters and wires connected to a timer. The BBC separately described the weapon as an older-style semi-automatic gun capable of firing bursts and said the investigation includes possession of a Category A weapon.

A member of the suspect’s immediate family was also taken into custody, according to the BBC. Prosecutors are investigating alleged possession of a prohibited weapon and possible preparation of crimes against people in connection with a terrorist group. The exact motive, however, remains unclear.

Macron visited Trappes and urged the public not to yield to what he called ideologies taking root. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez also travelled to the affected towns, while Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said security and judicial resources had been fully mobilised.