The man suspected of carrying out a shooting in the Paris suburb of Trappes has been transferred to a psychiatric unit of the Paris police prefecture, France's National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) announced on Sunday. The move suspends his police custody for up to 48 hours while doctors assess whether his mental state allows further questioning.
The attack on Friday morning left a 26-year-old man dead and five others injured, including a 12-year-old girl who remains in critical condition. The suspect, identified as Kevin T., 39, was arrested shortly after the shooting, which took place in Trappes and the nearby town of La Verrière, about 30 kilometres south-west of Paris.
According to PNAT, toxicology tests revealed the presence of cannabis and cocaine in the suspect's blood. Investigators are also questioning four people from his family and social circle as they try to piece together his motives and state of mind.
Disturbing finds at the suspect's home
A search of Kevin T.'s home in Plaisir, a town in the Yvelines department, turned up a copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, as well as a Bible and a Quran, according to a source close to the investigation cited by AFP. The apartment was reportedly booby-trapped with three gas cylinders and electrical wiring connected to a timer, suggesting the suspect may have planned further violence.
Police also found a Second World War-era submachine gun and tear gas grenades in his car. The weapon used in the attack has not been officially confirmed, but the arsenal points to a level of preparation that has alarmed investigators.
The victim, Pengo Bossio Wangi, was a promising French MMA fighter, according to several media reports. On Saturday, hundreds of residents gathered at the scene of the attack to pay tribute. They held placards reading "Trappes demands justice and truth" and "words kill," before observing a minute's silence.
"It could have been anyone. He shot at Black people, at Arabs," a local shopkeeper of North African origin told AFP, reflecting the fear that the attack was racially motivated.
Political reaction and questions over surveillance
President Emmanuel Macron visited Trappes on Friday and described the shooting as a "racist terrorist attack." His remarks came as France grapples with a series of violent incidents and social unrest, including recent protests over the cost of living that have seen police deploy tear gas in Lyon and other cities.
The victim's family has questioned whether authorities had adequately monitored the suspect, who they say was known to the police. According to Le Monde, Kevin T. reportedly told investigators he wanted to target people from immigrant backgrounds to "avenge" shopkeepers whose premises were looted during protests on 17 October.
The case has reignited debates about radicalisation, mental health, and the effectiveness of France's counter-terrorism surveillance. While the PNAT has taken charge of the investigation, the psychiatric evaluation will be crucial in determining whether the suspect can be held criminally responsible.
As the investigation continues, the community in Trappes remains on edge. The attack has also drawn attention to the broader climate of tension in French suburbs, where issues of policing, integration, and social inequality often intersect. The coming days will likely bring more details about the suspect's background and the events that led to the tragedy.
