A gun attack occurred in suburban Paris, resulting in one fatality and five injuries, with three of the wounded remaining in serious condition. The incident unfolded over approximately 15 minutes across two communities—Trappes and La Verrière—southwest of the capital. French President Emmanuel Macron visited the scene and characterized the shooting as a “racist terrorist attack,” stating it represented “a turning point in the life of our Republic and our nation.” He indicated that individuals were targeted based on their skin color or religion and called for resistance against “ideologies taking root.”
The attacker, identified in French media as Kevin T, opened fire from a grey Renault Clio, striking targets at multiple locations including a petrol station, medical centre, and playground. According to the Mayor of Trappes, Ali Rabeh, the gunman “fired randomly” with apparent intent to cause maximum casualties. Among the injured was a 12-year-old girl who sustained eight gunshot wounds and required surgery. Her mother told broadcasters that her daughter wore a headscarf and questioned whether this was a factor in the targeting.
The 39-year-old suspect, known to police but not to France’s intelligence services, was subsequently arrested on a main road in La Verrière. He had four prior convictions that had been “automatically expunged” from his record. A member of his immediate family was also taken into custody. The suspect reportedly used an older-style semi-automatic weapon dating to World War Two.
The National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) classified the incident as “murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise,” though the exact motive remained unclear. PNAT’s investigation includes inquiries into possession of a Category A weapon—military-grade or burst-capable firearms—and potential “conspiracy with a terrorist group for the purpose of preparing crimes against persons.” The suspect was not previously listed as a serious threat to French security.
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