15 Minutes of Gunfire in Paris Suburbs Leaves One Dead, Five Wounded
The attacker, a 39-year-old man with prior convictions, was indicted for terrorism after firing from a grey car in Trappes and La Verrière.
By Ivan Dvorak ·
One person died and five others were wounded during a 15-minute shooting spree in the Paris suburbs on Thursday. The violence began in Trappes, a town southwest of the capital, and continued in the neighboring municipality of La Verrière. French President Emmanuel Macron visited the scene and labeled the incident a racist terrorist attack.
Macron stated that the victims were targeted because of their skin color or religion. He described the event as a turning point for the republic, marking the first time France had experienced a random racial killing of this nature. The president urged citizens not to yield to ideologies he said were taking root in the country.
Witnesses reported that the gunman drove a grey Renault Clio through several neighborhoods. Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh said the suspect fired randomly, aiming to cause as much carnage as possible. People were targeted at a petrol station, a medical center, and a playground. The attacker was later detained on the main road in La Verrière, according to a police union official.
The National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office has charged the suspect with murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise. The investigation also covers conspiracy to prepare crimes against persons and possession of a Category A weapon. This classification includes military-grade arms and weapons capable of firing in bursts.
French media identified the suspect as Kevin T, aged 39. The prosecutor's office noted he had four previous convictions that had been automatically expunged. Although local reports indicated he was known to police, the office told BFMTV that he was not listed as a serious security threat. A member of his immediate family was taken into custody on Friday.
A local police chief told BFMTV that the suspect used an older-style semi-automatic weapon. Le Parisien reported that the firearm dated back to World War II. Three of the wounded remain in serious condition, including a 12-year-old girl who suffered eight gunshot wounds.
The mother of the injured girl spoke to broadcaster RTL, questioning why someone would shoot a child. She noted her daughter was wearing a headscarf and wondered if that had been the reason for the attack. The girl was born in Trappes and is a French resident.
