In brief
A 39‑year‑old suspect involved in gunfire that killed one and injured five in suburbs west of Paris has been transferred to a psychiatric monitoring centre. French anti‑terrorist officials say the attacker targeted individuals of migrant background, and evidence at his home includes religious texts and a Nazi book. President Macron condemned the violence as a racist terrorist attack and demanded that the country confront hate‑based extremism. The suspect remains under police guard while experts evaluate his mental state and potential links to further terrorism.
A suspect in a deadly gun attack near Paris has been placed under psychiatric observation by police. The move follows attacks that unfolded in the towns of Trappes and La Verrière, where shots from a car killed one person and wounded five others, many of whom were believed to be of migrant background.
The National Anti‑Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) said the suspect, 39‑year‑old Kevin T, will be evaluated to determine whether he is fit for interrogation. The assessment is expected to last about 48 hours.
Media reports add that the suspect’s home contained a Bible, a Quran and a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf, underscoring a hateful motive. Police also detected cannabis and cocaine in the suspect’s bloodstream.
President Emmanuel Macron called the shooting a “racist terrorist attack”, calling it a turning point for the French Republic. He stressed that the killings targeted people over their skin colour or religion.
One casualty, Pengo Bossio Wangi, a 26‑year‑old French‑Congolese martial artist, was announced as the victim on Saturday. The mixed martial arts club that trained Wangi paid tribute to him, quoting his spirit and generosity.
Three of the injured are in serious condition, including a 12‑year‑old girl who remains critical but is reportedly improving. The mayor of La Verrière, Nicolas Dainville, said he had spoken to the girl’s mother and that she is “doing better”.
The suspect had earlier convictions that were automatically expunged and had a history known to police but not to intelligence services. He allegedly used an old semi‑automatic weapon, firing volleys from his car window.
