Macron calls Trappes shooting a “racist terrorist attack”; one dead, five wounded near Paris

French President Emmanuel Macron called Friday's shooting in the Paris suburbs a “racist terrorist attack,” after a man opened fire from his car in Trappes and neighboring La Verrière. One person was killed and five others were wounded, among them a 12-year-old girl who, according to reports, was hit eight times.

A 39-year-old man was arrested in nearby Coignières. According to reports, police found a submachine gun and tear-gas grenades on him. Prosecutors opened an investigation for “murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise” and are examining whether the victims were targeted for their “real or supposed” race, ethnicity, nationality or religion. The national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office is closely following the case.

“Clearly a terrorist crime”

Most of the victims are of foreign origin. Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh said the person killed was “of African origin” and that one of the wounded, of North African origin, is in critical condition. He said the gunman fired “at random” as he drove; he called the attack probably Islamophobic and urged national unity.

Macron visited Trappes, while Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez went to both towns. “The investigation is still ongoing, but this is clearly a terrorist crime,” Nuñez said. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu wrote on X that “all the resources” of the security and judicial authorities had been mobilized.

The attack comes as France has stepped up security ahead of new protests called for Saturday. The Trappes town hall said it would set up a psychological support unit for residents.