French anti-terrorism prosecutors take over Paris-area shooting inquiry

France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor has taken over the investigation into shootings in Trappes and La Verrière, west of Paris, on Friday 23 October. One man was killed and five people were wounded, including a 12-year-old girl. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said three of the injured had life-threatening wounds.

The suspect was arrested in nearby Coignières. The prosecutor’s office identified him only as Kévin T. and said investigators found a submachine gun in his car. At his flat, they found three gas cylinders connected by wires to a timer, according to the office.

The investigation includes suspected premeditated murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise. Prosecutors are also examining whether victims were targeted because of their actual or perceived race, ethnicity, nationality or religion. Those are grounds for investigation, not a finding about the suspect’s motive.

President Emmanuel Macron, visiting Trappes, called the shootings a “racist terrorist attack” — translated from French. He cited what he said were recorded remarks by the suspect and evidence of premeditation, while saying investigators still had to establish the full circumstances. Aurore Bergé, the minister responsible for tackling discrimination, spoke conditionally about the possibility of a racist motive being established.