The man accused of a shooting spree in the Paris suburbs has admitted that he deliberately sought out victims he perceived as Muslim or of African or North African descent, according to France's anti-terrorism prosecutor, Olivier Christen. The admission came during questioning on Thursday, shedding light on the motives behind the attack that left one man dead and seven others wounded.
Kévin T., a 39-year-old French national, is accused of opening fire from his car and on foot in the towns of Trappes and La Verrière, west of the capital, on 23 October. Speaking at a press conference, Christen said the suspect "admitted having specifically targeted people who are of a Muslim or African, North African type." He also told investigators that he chose Trappes because he regarded it as "a hideout for Islamists."
Extensive preparation
The prosecutor stressed the "very extensive preparation" behind the attack. Kévin T. acknowledged premeditation and said he had fired "in bursts." Investigators established that from September he had acquired several items to improve the effectiveness of his weapon, a Sten-type submachine gun dating from the Second World War. He also purchased a police armband and handcuffs.
On the day of the attack, the suspect drove between Trappes and La Verrière, shooting at multiple people. The man killed was Pengo Bossio Wangi, a 26-year-old originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Among the injured was an 11-year-old girl, whose life is no longer in danger. As of Thursday, three victims remained hospitalized, one in a life-threatening condition.
A search of Kévin T.'s home in Plaisir, another Paris suburb, uncovered an arsenal that included magazines, two brass knuckles, a steel bayonet, and a silencer. Investigators also found a Quran, a Bible, and a copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf.
Stickers bearing nationalist slogans were also discovered. Many read "Long live France, RN, proud to be French," referring to the far-right National Rally party, while others carried phrases such as "100% French, long live France" and "Support for the security forces." The suspect admitted designing and ordering them online, but insisted he was neither a member nor a supporter of any political party.
Despite these admissions, he denied intending to commit a terrorist act and considered his actions "legitimate," according to the prosecutor. He also denied having intended to kill children, saying he may have misjudged the height of the 11-year-old victim. Nevertheless, he said he felt "no regret."
The suspect had reported psychological and psychiatric problems. However, a medical examination found no acute psychiatric decompensation or signs of hallucinations or delusions that would justify compulsory hospitalisation, the prosecutor said.
The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office has opened a judicial investigation into murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist act, with an aggravating circumstance linked to the presumed origin or religion of the victims. Prosecutors have requested that the suspect be placed in pre-trial detention.
Macron points to far-right climate
President Emmanuel Macron, speaking on the YouTube channel HugoDécrypte on Wednesday, denounced what he called "a racism of atmosphere" and "a disinhibition of violence." He blamed far-right political movements, including National Rally and groups close to it, for helping create that climate.
The National Rally reacted sharply on Thursday on TF1. Party MP Jean-Philippe Tanguy described the president's comments as "very problematic," accusing him of having allowed "hateful ideologies" to flourish during his time in office.
A national tribute to the victims will be held, the government announced on Wednesday, following a request at the National Assembly by the leader of the Green MPs, Cyrielle Chatelain. The attack has also sparked anti-racism protests in Marseille and elsewhere, as the country grapples with the implications of a racially motivated shooting.
The case has reignited debates about far-right extremism and the safety of minority communities in France. As the investigation continues, the suspect has been moved to a psychiatric unit, and prosecutors are examining whether the attack constitutes a terrorist act under French law.
