France mobilizes 70,000 officers after Trappes shooting
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the deployment of massive security forces following a drive-by that killed one person in a Paris suburb.
By Tyler Khalil ·
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced that 70,000 police officers and gendarmes will be deployed across France. This security surge follows a drive-by shooting in the Paris suburb of Trappes that left one person dead and at least five others injured on Friday.
The attack occurred around 10:30 a.m. local time. The suspect fired in bursts from a gray Renault Clio. The gunman targeted three locations, including a playground, before being stopped by five officers from the anti-crime brigade. The entire sequence lasted just under 15 minutes. Nuñez stated the weapon used appeared to be military-grade or automatic.
Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh told BFMTV that the shooter drove through Trappes and neighboring La Verriere firing at random. Rabeh described the event as a likely mass killing motivated by Islamophobia. He noted that three of the five wounded are in critical condition. The mayor of La Verriere, Nicolas Dainville, said a 12-year-old girl was shot eight times and remains in stable condition.
President Emmanuel Macron labeled the incident a racist terror attack. He said the suspect’s statements indicated premeditation. Macron stated that victims were targeted based on skin color or perceived religion. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu wrote on X that all security and judicial resources are fully mobilized for the case.
Prosecutors opened an investigation for murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office placed three associates of the suspect in custody. The suspect, who has four prior expunged convictions, was arrested in Coignieres. The victim was described as being of African origin.
The deployment includes elite units guarding public buildings, helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons. Major Paris museums, including the Louvre, will close. Art Basel Paris canceled its weekend program due to safety concerns. Nuñez promised an uncompromising response to violence, looting, or vandalism during the operation.
