The shooting left one dead and seven injured. The national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office highlights the premeditated nature of this racist attack.
The suspect in the shooting in Trappes and La Verrière, on the outskirts of Paris, has admitted specifically targeting people he perceived to be Muslim or of African or North African origin, anti-terrorism public prosecutor Olivier Christen announced on Thursday.
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Known only as Kévin T., the 39-year-old is accused of killing one man and injuring seven other people during the attack, which was carried out both from a car and on foot on 23 October.
"He admitted having specifically targeted people who are of a Muslim or African, North African type," the prosecutor said at a press conference. The suspect is also said to have explained that he chose Trappes because he regarded it as "a hideout for Islamists".
An attack prepared over a long period
The prosecutor stressed what he described as the "very extensive preparation" of the attack.
During questioning, Kévin T. acknowledged premeditation and said he had fired "in bursts". Investigators established that from September he had bought several items intended to improve the effectiveness of his weapon, a Sten-type submachine gun dating from the Second World War. He had also bought a police armband and handcuffs.
On the day of the attack, the suspect drove between Trappes and La Verrière, shooting at several people. The man killed, Pengo Bossio Wangi, was 26 and originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Among the seven injured was an 11-year-old girl whose life is no longer in danger. As of Thursday, three victims remained in hospital, one of them in a life-threatening condition.
A search of the suspect's home in Plaisir, also on the outskirts of Paris, 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 bore the words "Long live France, RN, proud to be French", referring to the far-right National Rally party, while others carried phrases including "100% French, long live France" and "Support for the security forces". The suspect admitted having designed and ordered them online, while insisting that 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. He nevertheless said he felt "no regret".
The suspect had reported psychological and psychiatric problems. However, according to the prosecutor, a medical examination found no acute psychiatric decompensation or signs of hallucinations or delusions that would justify compulsory hospitalisation.
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.
Emmanuel Macron points the finger at the far right
Appearing on the YouTube channel HugoDécrypte on Wednesday, President Emmanuel Macron denounced what he called "a racism of atmosphere" and "a disinhibition of violence".
Macron blamed far-right political movements for helping create that climate, citing National Rally and groups close to it.
The RN reacted sharply on Thursday on television channel 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
A national tribute will be paid to the victims of the attack. The announcement was made on Wednesday 28 October by the government, the day after a request at the National Assembly by the leader of the Green MPs, Cyrielle Chatelain.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will preside over the ceremony, minister responsible for combating discrimination Aurore Bergé told the Senate.
A date and location have not yet been announced.