Driver indicted for terrorism after 15 minutes of gunfire in Trappes
Prosecutors charge 39-year-old Kevin T with murder and conspiracy after one person died and five were injured in a drive-by shooting in the Paris suburbs.
By David Almasi ·
French prosecutors have indicted a 39-year-old driver for terrorism following a 15-minute shooting spree that killed one person and wounded five others in the Paris suburbs. The National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) filed charges of murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise against Kevin T. The investigation also covers conspiracy with a terrorist group and possession of a Category A weapon.
The violence began in Trappes, south-west of Paris, before moving to the neighboring town of La Verrière. Witnesses stated that the gunman fired from a grey Renault Clio while driving through several neighborhoods. Targets included a petrol station, a medical centre, and a playground in Trappes. A police union official confirmed that authorities detained the suspect on the main road in La Verrière.
President Emmanuel Macron visited the scene and described the incident as a racist terrorist attack. He stated that the event marked a turning point for the Republic and claimed it was the first instance of a random racial killing of this kind in France. Macron urged the public not to give an inch against ideologies taking root, noting that victims were singled out based on skin colour or religion.
Three of the five wounded remain in serious condition, including a 12-year-old girl. Her mother told broadcaster RTL that the child suffered eight gunshot wounds and required surgery. The mother noted that her daughter was wearing a headscarf and questioned if that was the reason for the attack. She emphasized that the girl was born in Trappes and has the right to live in France.
Local media reported that the suspect had four previous convictions that were automatically expunged. He was known to police but not to intelligence services. The prosecutor's office told BFMTV that he was not on a list of people regarded as a serious threat to national security. A member of his immediate family circle was also taken into custody on Friday.
Trappes mayor Ali Rabeh said the gunman fired randomly and aimed to cause as many casualties as possible. He stated that the attacker wanted to cause carnage. A local police chief told BFMTV that the suspect used an older-style semi-automatic weapon. Le Parisien reported that the firearm dated back to World War Two.
The precise motive has not yet been established. The PNAT continues its investigation into the charges. The suspect remains in custody while the legal process moves forward.
