Macron condemns racism after one killed in terrorist shooting near Paris
On Friday in Trappes, west of Paris, a gunman fired from a car, killing one person and wounding five, including a 12-year-old girl. French President Emmanuel Macron called it a racist terrorist attack.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned racism in the country on Friday after a shooting in Trappes, a town west of Paris. A gunman opened fire from a car, killing one person and wounding five, among them a 12-year-old girl. Macron described the incident as a "racist terrorist attack" and said it marked a turning point for France.
How the attack unfolded
At around 10.30am the suspect drove through Trappes and neighbouring La Verrière, in the Yvelines department, and over about 15 minutes repeatedly fired an automatic weapon: first at a petrol station, then at a medical centre and a children's playground. The French public broadcaster reported that he shot dead a young black man, then targeted a woman in a headscarf, and finally the girl, who suffered eight gunshot wounds and is being treated at a children's hospital. Prosecutors said the medical condition of all five wounded was not stable.
The 39-year-old suspect, named as Kevin T., was stopped by police in his car. He was carrying a Sten gun, a British submachine gun from the second world war, and teargas grenades. His home had been booby-trapped with gas canisters and electric wires linked to a timer. A member of his family was arrested for questioning.
Reaction
Macron said the gunman had picked victims because of the colour of their skin, and urged people not to let the attack divide the country, calling for "respect and unity". Ali Rabeh, the leftwing mayor of Trappes, called it objectively racist and probably Islamophobic. Anti-terrorism prosecutors are examining whether the victims were targeted for their real or supposed race, ethnicity, nationality or religion. Interior minister Laurent Nunez said it was clearly a terrorist crime.
A tense moment
The shooting comes amid heightened tension in France. Last Saturday brought one of the most violent days of unrest in years, with at least 2,400 people arrested. New protests are expected on Saturday. Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, condemned the attack.
