Macron Condemns Deadly Shooting Near Paris as ‘Racist Terrorist Attack’

French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned a deadly shooting in the suburbs of Paris as a “racist terrorist attack” after one person was killed and five others wounded in a gunman’s rampage through two towns west of the French capital.

The shooting occurred on Friday, October 23, in Trappes and neighbouring La Verrière. The gunman reportedly fired from a car at several locations, including a petrol station, a medical centre and a children’s playground, according to reports from Reuters, AFP and other media outlets.

Among the five injured was a 12-year-old girl who was reportedly shot eight times. She was seriously wounded, although local officials said her condition was stable. The person killed was a 26-year-old man, according to French media reports.

Macron visited Trappes later on Friday and said the victims had been targeted because of their skin colour or their perceived religious identity. He described the incident as a turning point for France and insisted that racism and violence had no place in the country.

The country’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office has taken charge of the investigation, examining possible murder and attempted murder linked to a terrorist enterprise, with an alleged aggravating factor involving the victims’ actual or perceived race, ethnicity, nationality or religion.

Police arrested a 39-year-old suspect, identified by authorities as Kevin T., in the nearby town of Coignières shortly after the shootings. Officers reportedly recovered a submachine gun and tear-gas equipment from his vehicle.

Investigators also discovered an apparent booby trap involving gas canisters and electrical wires connected to a timer at the suspect’s apartment, according to prosecutors. A second person, identified in reports as a member of the suspect’s family, was also taken into custody.

Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh described the shooting as racist and potentially Islamophobic, saying the gunman appeared to have targeted people based on their perceived backgrounds. However, investigators are still working to establish the suspect’s precise motive and whether the attack was driven by a particular ideology.

The attack comes amid heightened political and social tensions in France following violent unrest during demonstrations over the cost of living. Further protests were expected over the weekend, prompting increased security concerns.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said security forces and judicial authorities were fully mobilised to handle the case. The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the shootings and whether the evidence supports the suspected terrorist and racist motive.