Macron Labels Trappes Shooting a Racist Terror Attack After Car Gunman Kills One
A driver fired from a moving vehicle in a western Paris suburb, wounding five people including a child, before officers stopped the car in a neighboring town.
By Aiko Petrov ·
A gunman driving a car killed one person and injured at least five others in Trappes on Friday morning. The attack occurred in a suburb west of Paris. Authorities quickly classified the incident as a racially motivated act of terrorism.
President Emmanuel Macron visited the site and met with local officials and residents. He described the event as a racist terror attack. Macron stated that the victims were targeted because of their skin color or perceived religion. He said there is no place for such violence in France.
Ali Rabeh, the mayor of Trappes, told BFMTV that the suspect drove through Trappes and La Verrière. He said the driver fired at random in an attempt to cause a bloodbath. Rabeh noted that the gunman targeted passersby at three specific locations, including a playground. He called the low casualty count a miracle given the circumstances.
A police source told Agence France-Presse that the shooter fired in bursts from the vehicle at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time. Samy, a resident of Trappes, observed a body on the ground from his window. His mother saw a gray Renault Clio speed by and heard loud bangs. Forensic teams later examined evidence at a nearby gas station.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the weapon appeared to be military-grade or at least automatic. He stated the attack lasted just under 15 minutes. Five officers from the anti-crime brigade ended the incident. They arrested the suspect in the nearby town of Coignières.
Officials initially reported four wounded. Rabeh later corrected the figure to five. He said three victims are in critical condition and face danger of dying. Nicolas Dainville, the mayor of La Verrière, told AFP that a 12-year-old girl was shot eight times. She is in stable condition. Rabeh identified the deceased as a person of African origin.
Prosecutors opened an investigation for murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise. They are examining whether the victims were targeted based on race, ethnicity, nationality, or religion. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office placed three people from the suspect's family and friend circle in custody on Friday evening. The suspect has four prior convictions that have been legally expunged. He has not been publicly identified.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu posted on X that the case is very serious. He said all security and judicial resources are fully mobilized. Macron added that the nation stands with the victims. The shooting occurred while France faces cost-of-living protests and overnight curfews. About 70,000 police officers and gendarmes are deployed for demonstrations expected Saturday. Major Paris museums including the Louvre will close. Art Basel Paris canceled its weekend program over safety concerns.
Source: CBS News
