One person has been killed and four others, including a 12-year-old girl, wounded in a shooting in Trappes and La Verrière outside Paris. French anti-terror prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation after a gunman allegedly fired from a Second World War-era sub-machine gun.
The attack happened at about 10.30am as the suspect drove through several areas of the two towns, firing at a number of locations including a playground, according to the mayor of Trappes, Ali Rabeh.
The girl was shot eight times and seriously wounded but was in a stable condition, Nicolas Dainville, mayor of La Verrière, said. Two men, aged 29 and 49, were also taken to separate hospitals.
The man who died was 26, according to local reports. Mr Rabeh said he had been near a playground visiting his family when he was shot.
The mayor of Trappes described the attack as “racist [and] probably Islamophobic”, while investigators examine whether the victims were targeted because of their real or supposed race, ethnicity, nationality or religion.
The motive has not been established. Mr Dainville said the suspect was of a “European type”, without providing further details.
French media identified the suspect as 39-year-old Kevin T. He was arrested in a car park in nearby Coignières, reportedly driving a grey Renault Clio, less than ten minutes after the first emergency calls.
Reports said he had a shaved head and was wearing a blue jumper and jeans. He was reportedly known to police for previous offences but was not on the radar of intelligence services.
Investigators and bomb disposal experts searching the suspect’s home reportedly found it booby-trapped, with gas cylinders left on the property. Police have also contacted his mother.
Anti-terror prosecutors investigate Trappes shooting
The national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office is examining potential charges including murder and attempted assassinations in connection with a terrorist enterprise. The investigation also covers alleged possession of a Category A weapon and terrorist conspiracy with a view to preparing crimes.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who visited the scene, said the incident was “clearly a terrorist crime”. Officials warned, however, that the situation remained unstable and that the death toll could rise.
Mr Rabeh said the gunman appeared intent on “causing as many casualties as possible”. He added: “He wanted to cause carnage. It is a miracle that there were not more victims.”
President Emmanuel Macron said: “Deep emotion following the shooting attack that occurred in Trappes and La Verrière. One person has died. Several others are seriously injured.”
He sent his thoughts to the victims, their families and residents of the Yvelines region, and praised the police who had arrested the suspect.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said all security and judicial resources had been mobilised, while Valérie Pécresse, president of the Île-de-France region, said the suspect had been “quickly apprehended”.
Mr Rabeh said a psychological support unit would be established in Trappes. One local woman told reporters: “I don’t understand. You can’t imagine something like this happening right outside your door. How could anyone do that?”
