Suspect charged after 15-minute suburb shooting

Residents of two towns south-west of Paris now face terrorism charges against a gunman who killed one person and wounded five during a 15-minute shooting spree. The incident, which occurred on Friday, targeted individuals based on their perceived origin, leaving a 12-year-old girl with eight gunshot wounds. French President Emmanuel Macron described the event as a racist terrorist attack and a turning point for the nation.

The violence began in Trappes and continued in the neighboring town of La Verrière. The suspect drove a grey Renault Clio through several neighborhoods, firing from the vehicle at a petrol station, a medical centre, and a playground in Trappes. Witnesses reported that the attacker appeared to aim specifically at people of migrant origin. The shooting concluded in La Verrière, where police detained the suspect on the main road.

The National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office, known as PNAT, has indicted Kevin T, 39, for murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise. The charges also include possession of a Category A weapon and conspiracy with a terrorist group. Prosecutors stated that the firearm used was an older-style semi-automatic weapon that dated back to World War Two. French media reports indicate that T had four previous convictions that were automatically expunged from his record. While local media noted he was known to police, the prosecutor's office confirmed he was not on a list of serious security threats.

Three of the five wounded victims remain in serious condition. The mother of the 12-year-old girl, who required surgery, told broadcaster RTL that her daughter was wearing a headscarf at the time of the attack. She questioned whether that specific detail contributed to the targeting, noting that her daughter was born in Trappes and had the right to live there. A member of the suspect's immediate family was also taken into custody on Friday.

Trappes mayor Ali Rabeh stated that the gunman fired randomly with the intent to cause as many casualties as possible. He described the attacker's goal as causing carnage. Macron visited the scene and urged the public to resist ideologies taking root. He emphasized that victims were singled out due to skin colour or religion. The precise motive for the shooting has not yet been fully established by investigators.

The case is being handled by the PNAT, which is investigating the possession of military-grade arms and weapons capable of firing in bursts. The prosecutor's office indicated that the investigation covers the preparation of crimes against persons in conjunction with a terrorist group. The suspect remains in custody as the inquiry continues.