Crimeupdated 58m ago2 min read
Archive photo · 5 December 2023Macron Says Racist Terror Attack In Trappes And La Verrière Kills One, Injures Five
“the incident appeared to be ‘murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise’.”
“authorities are calling a racially motivated ‘terrorist’ attack.”
Photo: Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped for layout
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
A gunman in Trappes, near Paris, killed one person and injured five others, including a 12-year-old girl. Macron labeled the attack a racist terrorist attack and called it a turning point for the republic.
Paris suburb shooting
A gunman opened fire from his car in the Paris suburbs of Trappes and La Verrière, killing one person and injuring five others, including a twelve-year-old girl, before police arrested the 39-year-old suspect in nearby Coignières. Emmanuel Macron called the attack a “racist terrorist attack,” and the French Anti-Terror Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation for “murder in connection with a terrorist organization.” Investigators found an edition of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf in the suspect’s apartment in Plaisir, and investigators also found a Bible and a Quran during a search of the apartment.
“Emmanuel Macron spoke of a ‘racist terrorist attack.’”
The suspect was transferred from police custody to the psychiatric outpatient clinic of the Paris prefecture after an initial psychiatric examination, and the Paris Anti-Terror Prosecution said the man was under the influence of drugs. The suspect’s blood tested positive for cannabis and cocaine, and investigators extended his police custody on Saturday after an initial hearing.
Psychiatric unit and detention
French anti-terror prosecutors said the suspect left custody and was placed in a psychiatric unit for observation, with the French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office saying the observation period was likely to last 48 hours. The PNAT said, “After a psychiatric examination of Kevin T carried out in the evening (of Saturday), his custody has been lifted,” and it added that the transfer was meant to evaluate whether his psychiatric health was compatible with pursuing interrogation sessions. The PNAT said traces of cannabis and cocaine were found in the suspect’s blood, and police searched his home in Plaisir outside of Paris.
The Straits Times reported that the person killed in the Oct 23 shooting was Pengo Bossio Wangi, and it said one wounded victim was a 12-year-old girl hit by bullets eight times and in critical condition. The Straits Times also said the shooting came as France headed for elections in six months, with far-right candidate Marine le Pen leading in the polls, and it tied the attack to riots that had marred France’s image ahead of the vote.
Motives, evidence, and charges
Investigators said the suspect told police he wanted to “kill foreigners,” and Laurent Mazaury said the suspect told police he wanted to “kill foreigners.” The suspect’s apartment search in Plaisir turned up a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf, along with a Bible and a Quran, and investigators also found an apparent explosive booby trap with three gas canisters connected by electrical wiring to a timer. The French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation into suspected premeditated murder and attempted murder connected to terrorism, with racial or religious discrimination cited as an aggravating factor.
“How could anyone do this to a child?”
The BBC reported that PNAT said the incident appeared to be “murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise,” and it said the investigation included “possession of a Category A weapon.” The BBC also quoted the mother of the injured 12-year-old asking, “How could anyone do this to a child?” after she said her daughter suffered eight gunshot wounds and required surgery.