French authorities have launched a formal investigation into a deadly shooting spree near Paris, characterizing the incident as an act of terrorism. The attack, which occurred on Friday, resulted in one fatality and left five other individuals wounded, three of whom are in serious condition. Among the victims is a 12-year-old girl.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the classification of the incident, stating that the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) is treating the case as "murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise." According to the minister, the rampage spanned approximately 15 minutes, moving through the suburbs of Trappes and the nearby town of La Verrière.
Witnesses reported that the suspect drove a grey Renault Clio through various neighborhoods, firing intermittently from the vehicle's window. Ali Rabeh, the Mayor of Trappes, described the gunman's actions as an attempt to cause "as many casualties as possible," noting that targets included a petrol station, a medical centre, and a playground. A local police chief informed BFMTV that the attacker utilized an older-style semi-automatic weapon, with media outlet Le Parisien reporting the firearm may date back to World War Two.
The suspect, a 39-year-old man who was known to police but reportedly not to French intelligence services, was detained in the town of Coignières following the pursuit. PNAT has confirmed that the ongoing investigation includes charges related to the possession of a Category A weapon, which encompasses military-grade firearms capable of burst fire, as well as conspiracy with a terrorist group for the purpose of preparing crimes against persons.
While the official motive remains under investigation, the Mayor of Trappes highlighted the demographics of the victims, noting that the person killed was of African origin and one of the critically injured was of North African descent. Rabeh suggested the attack had a "racist, probably Islamophobic overtone." However, the anti-terror prosecutor has urged caution regarding the identification of the victims and the specific motivations behind the assault, emphasizing that the investigation is still in its early stages.
Nuñez told reporters in Trappes: "It's clearly a terrorist crime, that's what [the prosecutor] has said."
The suspect, a 39-year-old, was known to police but not to France's intelligence services, local media report.
