Macron Labels Paris Suburb Shooting a Racist Terror Attack After One Death
A 39-year-old driver was indicted for terrorism after a 15-minute drive-by in Trappes and La Verrière left one person dead and five wounded.
By Tyler Khalil ·
French President Emmanuel Macron designated a shooting in the Paris suburbs as a racist terrorist attack on October 23, 2026. The violence killed one person and wounded five others, including a 12-year-old girl. Macron stated during a visit to the scene that the incident marked a turning point for the Republic. He described it as the first random racial killing of its kind in France.
The attack lasted approximately 15 minutes. The suspect, identified by media as Kevin T, aged 39, fired from a grey Renault Clio. He targeted individuals in Trappes, south-west of Paris, before moving to the neighboring town of La Verrière. Witnesses reported that victims were selected based on skin color or religion. The gunman was detained on a main road in La Verrière.
The National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation into murder connected to a terrorist enterprise. Charges also include possession of a Category A weapon and conspiracy with a terrorist group. Prosecutors noted that T had four prior convictions that had been expunged. He was known to police but not to intelligence services. A member of his immediate family was also placed in custody on Friday.
Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh said the attacker fired randomly with the intent to cause mass casualties. The shooter targeted people at a petrol station, a medical center, and a playground. A local police chief told BFMTV that the suspect used an older-style semi-automatic weapon. Le Parisien reported that the firearm dated back to World War II. Three of the five wounded remain in serious condition.
The mother of the injured 12-year-old told broadcaster RTL that her daughter sustained eight gunshot wounds. The girl, who was wearing a headscarf, required surgery. The mother questioned why a child born in Trappes would be attacked. She asserted that her daughter has the right to live and build her life in France.
Macron urged the public to resist ideologies taking root. He emphasized that victims were singled out for their background. The precise motive for the attack has not yet been fully established by investigators. The case remains under active review by the anti-terrorism office.
