Macron calls shooting in Paris suburb a terrorist and racist attack
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday described a shooting in Trappes, on the outskirts of Paris, as a terrorist and racist attack. One person was killed and five others were wounded.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday called a shooting in the town of Trappes, on the outskirts of Paris, a terrorist and racist attack. One person died and five others were wounded, including a 12-year-old girl. A 39-year-old suspect, identified as Kevin T., has been detained.
What Macron said
According to the president, the events mark a turning point, as it is the first time the country has faced a terrorist act planned to kill fellow citizens and children because of their skin colour or religion. Macron told journalists that the attacker deliberately chose not to shoot some people because of their skin colour and appearance.
What happened
The gunman opened fire with an automatic weapon at a petrol station, a medical centre and a children's playground. The suspect's family name has not been released, which is standard practice in such criminal investigations in France.
France's national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office, known as PNAT, formally opened an investigation. It can take over any criminal case it considers to meet terrorism criteria, including violence driven by far-right ideas. Penalties for terrorism offences are harsher, and anti-terrorism units have broader investigative powers.
Tension across the country
The shooting came at a moment of heightened tension in France: last Saturday nationwide protests turned violent, and further demonstrations are planned for this weekend. Some far-right politicians blamed immigrants for robberies and vandalism that occurred on 17 October in several French cities.
The mayor of Trappes, Ali Rabeh, whose parents come from Morocco, called the shooting "racist" and "Islamophobic". He urged collective condemnation of rhetoric that "ideologically arms those capable of committing such acts". Nicolas Dainville, mayor of the neighbouring town of La Verrière, said the suspect had a "European appearance". Rabeh noted that two of the victims were of African and North African origin respectively, but gave no details about the origins of the others.
