Paris shooting: 1 killed, 5 injured in Trappes, ahead of planned protests; Macron condemns 'racist terrorist attack'

At least one person was killed and five others, including a 12-year-old girl, were injured after a gunman opened fire from a vehicle at three different locations in the Paris suburbs in what French authorities are now describing as a racially motivated attack.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday (local time) condemned the shooting, calling it a “racist terrorist attack”. In two separate posts on social media, Macron expressed his condolences, writing: “Deep emotions after the shooting attack that took place in Trappes and La Verrière. One person died. Several others are seriously injured. Our thoughts go out to the victims, their families and all the residents of Yvelines. The nation stands by their side in this terrible ordeal.”

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Here’s what we know so far about the Paris shooting

Reports citing Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the shooting occurred within 15 minutes at three different locations in the towns of Trappes and La Verrière, about 30 kilometers from Paris. Of the five injured, three had life-threatening injuries, he added. Speaking to reporters in Trappes, Nuñez said: “There was a deadly rampage this morning.”

Macron, who visited the site of the Trappes attack after meeting with officials and residents in the area, said: “These people were targeted because of the color of their skin or their perceived religion and for no other reason,” adding: “There is no place for this in France.

The man who died was identified by Macron as Pengo Bossio Wangi, a Frenchman born in 2000. The condition of the injured was not yet stable as of Friday evening. The seriously injured 12-year-old girl suffered eight gunshot wounds and required surgery, according to the BBC. The victim’s mother told French broadcaster RTL: “How could someone do this to a child,” adding that her daughter was wearing a headscarf and asking if that was why she was targeted.

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Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh said in a statement that the suspect, 39, appeared to be shooting people at random and targeting bystanders in several locations, including a playground, possibly because of their apparent African ancestry.

Suspect arrested; anti-terrorist investigation launched

According to the National Counter-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office, which is handling the case, the suspect was arrested less than 20 minutes after he started shooting and has been identified as Kévin T. The statement also said the suspect’s criminal record includes four convictions that were automatically expunged from his record under French law. Another person, a member of the suspect’s immediate family, was also taken into custody on Friday, according to the statement.

The National Counter-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office has also opened prosecutions for several offences, including “murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise, the aggravating circumstance being that the act was committed on the basis of the victim’s actual or perceived membership of a particular race, ethnic group, nationality or religion”.

Investigators found a Sten submachine gun and a tear gas canister in his car, according to the office. His apartment was also set up as a decoy with three gas cylinders and electrical wires connected to a timer.

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The shooting comes as France prepares for new protests over the high cost of living. Students initially led the demonstrations before other groups joined them. Major museums closed their doors as the government stepped up security to prevent a repeat of the violence that shocked the country last week.