France anti-terror prosecutors probe deadly racist shooting near Paris

France is on edge and its national anti-terrorism prosecutors have taken charge of an investigation after a 39-year-old gunman carried out a deadly drive-by shooting in the western Paris suburbs. The attack struck three locations across the working-class towns of Trappes and La Verrière, leaving one person dead and five others wounded, including a 12-year-old girl shot eight times. President Emmanuel Macron visited Trappes on Friday night and condemned the rampage as a premeditated racist and terrorist act, stating that the victims were targeted because of their skin colour or perceived religion.

The violence began around 10.30am local time on Friday and lasted for about 15 minutes. The suspect, identified by prosecutors as Kevin T., drove through Yvelines and opened fire in bursts using a Sten-type submachine gun at a petrol station, a medical centre, and a children's playground. Police arrested him less than 20 minutes after the shooting started in nearby Coignières. Officers recovered the British Second World War-era submachine gun and tear-gas grenades from his car. When authorities searched his flat, they discovered it had been booby-trapped with three gas cylinders and electrical wires connected to a timer.

Spree across Trappes and La Verrière

The rampage unfolded swiftly across Yvelines, roughly 20km to 30km west of Paris. According to the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's office, the person killed was a French man born in 2000 who was of African origin. Among the five wounded, three suffered life-threatening injuries, and none had achieved a stable medical status by Friday evening. A 12-year-old girl was shot eight times and is receiving treatment. Nicolas Dainville, the mayor of La Verrière, said two other victims in his town were cleaners of African origin who were attending to a school when the shooter got out of his car to open fire.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez praised the five officers from the anti-crime brigade who halted the assailant. Investigators also detained a member of the suspect's immediate family during the afternoon for questioning. Prosecutors opened an inquiry for murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise with the aggravating circumstance that the acts targeted the real or supposed race, ethnicity, nationality, or religion of the victims. Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh described the suspect as firing at random with the intent of causing a bloodbath, calling it probably one of the first attempted mass killings motivated by Islamophobia and racism.

Political fallout and security mobilization

The shooting arrives as France braces for another weekend of widespread demonstrations over the high cost of living. Last weekend saw some of the most violent street unrest in recent years, resulting in public buildings being burned, hundreds of shops destroyed and looted, and at least 2,400 arrests. Cities across the country implemented overnight curfews throughout the week, and major museums are closing their doors ahead of Saturday's expected protests. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu wrote on social media that all resources of the security forces and judiciary are fully mobilized.

Interior Minister Nuñez announced that 70,000 police officers will be deployed across the country on Saturday, backed by helicopters, armoured vehicles, water cannon, and elite units securing public buildings. The attack quickly ignited a political debate over the state of public discourse. President Macron warned that racism had become part of ambient discourse in France and created an atmosphere that must not divide the country. Communist candidate Fabien Roussel argued on social media that the far right is responsible for racist hatred, while Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally party, condemned the act as barbaric and abject.

Reactions and community fear

Local residents expressed deep shock and fear following the violence. Adel, a 50-year-old resident of Trappes, told the Agence France-Presse that his heart was broken upon learning the victims were targeted for their race. I'm north African and it's frightening for everyone who has the same background, he said. Another resident, Samy, watched from his window as a grey Renault Clio sped past and heard loud bangs before seeing a body on the ground. Aurore Bergé, the minister for gender equality and the fight against discriminations, stated that the nation must stand alongside the residents if the racist motive is established, adding that the country cannot tolerate the slightest racist remark.