A drive-by shooting in the Paris suburb of Trappes has left one person dead and four injured, with prosecutors investigating whether the attack was linked to terrorism. The alleged gunman was arrested shortly afterwards in the nearby town of Coignières.
The 39-year-old suspect is accused of opening fire from a vehicle as he travelled through Trappes and neighbouring La Verrière at about 10.30am on Friday.
Ali Rabeh, the mayor of Trappes, said the gunman appeared to be firing “relatively randomly” and wanted “to cause a bloodbath”. He said the person killed was of African origin, while one of the wounded, who was in a critical condition, was of north African origin.
A 12-year-old girl was seriously injured after being shot eight times, according to Nicolas Dainville, the mayor of La Verrière. She was in a stable condition.
Prosecutors examine possible terrorist motive
Prosecutors said they were investigating whether the victims had been targeted because of their “real or supposed race, ethnicity, nationality or religion”. The inquiry includes a suspected murder “in connection with a terrorist enterprise”.
Authorities have not established a motive. Mr Rabeh said he did not want to make any “definitive” assessment, but described the fact that there were not more casualties as a “miracle”.
A resident named Samy told reporters he saw a body on the ground from his window. His mother saw a grey Renault Clio speeding away and heard “loud bangs”, he said.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the case was “very serious” and that all security and judicial resources had been mobilised. President Emmanuel Macron said the nation was standing with the victims of the “terrible ordeal”.
Trappes has previously experienced tensions after a teacher reported receiving threats following comments about the authorities’ response to the killing of teacher Samuel Paty in 2020.
