France Detains Suspect in Trappes Attack That Killed One

A 39-year-old man named Kevin T. is in custody after a shooting spree in the northern suburbs of Paris killed one person and wounded five others on Friday. The attack took place in Trappes and La Verriere, two communities on the outskirts of Paris with large immigrant populations.

Police said the suspect drove through the area starting at 10:30 a.m. local time. He used an automatic weapon to fire at a petrol station, a medical centre, and a children's playground. The rampage lasted approximately 15 minutes before officers detained him. Investigators found a semiautomatic weapon from the World War II era and tear gas grenades in his vehicle.

The victim who died was identified as Pengo Bassio Wangi. French media reported he was a young Black man. Among the five injured is a 12-year-old girl of North African descent who was shot eight times. She was rushed to a children's hospital for surgery. Prosecutors stated that three of the five wounded people are in critical condition. A member of the suspect's immediate family is also in custody as officials examine whether he conspired with a terrorist group.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the incident as clearly a terrorist crime. Local MP Laurent Mazaury said the suspect told officers he wanted to kill foreigners. Mazaury added, "I think we are facing a racist person." Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu called the case very serious and confirmed that all security resources were mobilised.

President Emmanuel Macron labelled the event a racist terrorist attack and a turning point for the nation. He said France remained determined to fight racism in all its forms. Trappes mayor Ali Rabeh said the gunman fired at random and wanted to cause a bloodbath. Rabeh, who has Moroccan roots, stated, "Her crime was probably being of colour," referring to the wounded girl.

The girl's mother told broadcaster RTL, "How could anyone do this to a child?" She questioned whether her daughter was targeted because of her headscarf. The family said the girl was born in Trappes and has the right to build her life in France.

Authorities plan to deploy 70,000 police officers on Saturday as demonstrations continue across the country. The National Rally leader Marine Le Pen called the shooting barbaric. In response, Muslim groups accused the right of fostering hatred through Islamophobic rhetoric. The French Muslim Council said promoters of anti-Muslim hate speech have blood on their hands.