Suspect Arrested in Paris Suburb Shooting That Killed One, Injured Several
French authorities are investigating the incident, which involved gunfire from a vehicle, as a potential racially motivated terrorist crime.
A gunman firing from a vehicle in a Paris suburb on Friday killed one person and wounded several others, including a 12-year-old girl, in an attack French authorities are investigating as a potential racially motivated terrorist crime.
A suspect was arrested and taken into police custody following the shootings, which occurred at three separate locations in the towns of Trappes and La Verrière, near Paris. France's National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's office has taken charge of the case.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated that the attack lasted just under 15 minutes. He reported that the assailant shot and killed one person and injured five others, with three of the wounded in critical condition.
"A deadly rampage took place this morning," Nuñez told reporters in Trappes. He commended the officers from the anti-crime brigade who apprehended the suspect for their swift response.
Aurore Bergé, the minister for gender equality and the fight against discrimination, confirmed that the 12-year-old girl was very seriously injured. "If a racist motive is established, I hope that the whole nation will stand alongside the residents of Trappes, La Verrière, and the victims," Bergé said. "We cannot tolerate even the slightest racist remark in the French Republic."
Nuñez indicated that the suspect fired what appeared to be a military-grade or automatic weapon. Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh described the gunman's actions as relatively random, targeting passersby at several locations, including a playground. Rabeh suggested the motive was likely Islamophobia and racism, calling it a terrorist attack with such overtones.
Rabeh also stated that the person killed was of African origin, and one of the critically wounded individuals was of North African origin. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's office opened a criminal investigation into multiple offenses, including murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise, with the aggravating circumstance of acting based on the victim's actual or perceived race, ethnicity, nationality, or religion.
Reports that the suspect's home may have been booby-trapped with gas cylinders were acknowledged by Nuñez, who stated that the investigation would establish the facts.
The incident occurred as France prepared for further protests against the high cost of living, with increased security measures deployed to prevent a recurrence of violent unrest from the previous week.