France Shooting Investigated as Racially Motivated Terror Attack
Suspect told police he sought revenge for looting, targeting victims based on skin color, authorities said.
A gunman who killed one person and wounded five others in a shooting spree outside Paris on Friday morning told police he acted in revenge for looting across France and targeted individuals based on their skin color, according to reports.
The 39-year-old suspect, identified locally as Kevin T., carried out a 15-minute attack, firing randomly as he drove through Trappes and neighboring La Verriere. A 26-year-old man was killed, and a 12-year-old girl was among the five injured. The girl sustained ten bullet wounds.
The investigation was handed over to France's National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (PNAT), which is investigating "murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise," with the aggravating circumstance of acts committed based on perceived race, ethnicity, nation, or religion.
During his initial interview, the suspect allegedly confessed to targeting individuals based on their skin color and seeking revenge for the looting that occurred on October 17. Le Monde reported that the suspect claimed to have acted in response to unrest and widespread vandalism of shops and businesses during demonstrations.
President Emmanuel Macron, visiting Trappes on Friday evening, confirmed the attack had "racist overtones," stating that victims were targeted "because of their skin colour or perceived religion, and for no other reason." He added, "There is no place for this in France."
Investigators found that the suspect used a British Second World War-era Sten gun during the attack. At his home, anti-terrorist police discovered fuses linked to gas canisters, which bomb disposal experts made safe. Officers also found a copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf among Second World War memorabilia.
The suspect's alleged confession and the nature of the attack, including the discovery at his home, contributed to the investigation being classified as a terrorist enterprise.
More than 2,000 shops and small businesses were ransacked across France on October 17, leading to over 2,500 arrests. Widespread anti-government protests continued across the country on Saturday, with fears of further disorder.