Trappes Drive-By: President Brands Suburban Shooting a Racist Terror Attack

French President Emmanuel Macron visited the scene of a shooting in the Paris suburbs on Friday, declaring the violence a "racist terrorist attack" that represented a "turning point in the life of our Republic." The incident, which killed one person and left five others wounded, marked the first time France has recorded a random racial killing of this nature, according to the president.

The gunfire lasted approximately 15 minutes, beginning in Trappes, south-west of Paris, and continuing in the neighboring town of La Verrière. Witnesses described the suspect driving a grey Renault Clio through several neighborhoods, firing at targets that included a petrol station, a medical center, and a playground. He was detained on the main road in La Verrière. Three of the injured, including a 12-year-old girl, remain in serious condition.

The National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) opened an investigation into "murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise." The charges also include possession of a Category A weapon, a classification covering military-grade arms and burst-fire weapons, and conspiracy with a terrorist group. French media identified the suspect as Kevin T, 39. Prosecutors noted that his four previous convictions had been automatically expunged. He was known to local police but was not on a list of serious security threats and had no prior record with intelligence services. A member of his immediate family was also taken into custody on Friday.

Macron told crowds at the scene that victims were selected based on skin color or religion. He urged the public not to "give an inch" against ideologies he said were taking root. Ali Rabeh, the mayor of Trappes, stated the gunman "fired randomly" with the intent to cause carnage. A police chief told BFMTV the weapon was an older-style semi-automatic firearm, which Le Parisien reported dates back to World War Two.

The mother of the 12-year-old victim, who sustained eight gunshot wounds and required surgery, spoke to RTL about the attack. She noted her daughter was wearing a headscarf and questioned if that was the reason for the targeting. "She's a child who was born in France, in Trappes," she said. "She has the right to live in France, to make her life in France."

The precise motive for the shooting has not yet been established. The investigation continues as authorities examine the suspect's background and the timeline of the 15-minute spree.