39-Year-Old Suspect Faces Terror Charges After 15-Minute Paris Suburb Shooting

A 39-year-old man faces terrorism charges following a 15-minute shooting spree in the Paris suburbs that left one person dead and five others wounded. The attacker fired from a vehicle while driving through Trappes and the neighboring town of La Verrière. Three of the wounded are in serious condition, including a 12-year-old girl who suffered eight gunshot wounds and required surgery.

French President Emmanuel Macron visited the scene and described the incident as a racist terrorist attack. He stated that the victims were singled out due to their skin color or religion. Macron called the event a turning point for the nation, noting it was the first time France had experienced a random racial killing of this nature. He urged the public not to give an inch against ideologies taking root.

The National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) is investigating the case as murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise. Charges also include possession of a Category A weapon, a class that includes military-grade arms and burst-fire weapons. The investigation covers conspiracy with a terrorist group to prepare crimes against persons. French media identified the suspect as Kevin T, who has four previous convictions that were automatically expunged. He was known to police but not to intelligence services, and he was not on the list of people regarded as a serious threat to security.

Witnesses reported that the gunman drove a grey Renault Clio through several neighborhoods. In Trappes, he targeted people at a petrol station, a medical center, and a playground. The attack continued in La Verrière, where a police union official said he was detained on the main road. Trappes mayor Ali Rabeh said the suspect fired randomly, hoping to cause as many casualties as possible. Rabeh stated, He wanted to cause carnage.

A local police chief told BFMTV that the suspect used an older-style semi-automatic weapon. Le Parisien reported the firearm dated back to World War Two. A member of the suspect's immediate family circle was taken into custody on Friday. The mother of the injured 12-year-old told broadcaster RTL that her daughter had been wearing a headscarf and wondered if that was the reason for the attack. She said, She's a child who was born in France, in Trappes. She has the right to live in France, to make her life in France.

The precise motive has not been established. The PNAT continues its investigation into the events of the past few days. The case involves multiple locations and several victims of different ages.