France Gunman Shoots Five, Killing One and Wounding Young Girl

A gunman opened fire with a machine gun outside Paris, killing one person and injuring four others, including a 12-year-old girl.

The attacker drove through “several neighbourhoods” in Trappes and nearby La Verrière before firing “randomly” at about 10.30am, according to Trappes mayor Ali Rabeh.

Mr Rabeh said the gunman appeared determined to “cause as many casualties as possible”, opening fire at several sites, including a playground.

France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor has taken control of the investigation and is treating the shooting as a suspected terror attack. Investigators are considering whether terrorism charges should be brought.

French news organisation Actu identified the alleged gunman as 39-year-old Kevin T. from Plaisir. The outlet reported that the 12-year-old girl was hit in the pelvis by eight bullets, while the man who died was 26.

Le Parisien reported that the suspect fired a Second World War-era STEN-type submachine gun from a vehicle. The newspaper said he was known to police because of previous offences, although it later reported that he was not being monitored by intelligence services.

Mr Rabeh said the attacker “wanted to cause carnage”, adding: “It is a miracle that there were not more victims.”

The mayor said the person who died was of African origin, while one of those critically injured was of North African origin.

The suspect was arrested in a car park in nearby Coignières, with local media reporting that he was driving a grey Renault Clio. He was detained less than 10 minutes after the first emergency calls were received.

Police said the motive for the shooting was still unknown. Local reports said the suspect had a shaved head and was wearing a blue jumper and jeans when the attack took place.

French police are searching the suspect’s home, where elite officers and a bomb disposal team have been deployed. Local media reported that the gas had been left switched on inside the property.

Local officials told Le Monde that emergency services remained at the scene, but warned that the situation was “not yet stable” and that the death toll could rise.

Nicolas Dainville, mayor of La Verrière, said the 12-year-old girl was in a “stable” condition. He added that two men, aged 29 and 49, had been taken to separate hospitals.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, travelling to the scene, said: “It looks like a murderous rampage; we don’t know the motives.”

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences after news of the deadly shooting emerged, saying: “Deep emotion following the shooting attack that occurred in Trappes and La Verrière. One person has died. Several others are seriously injured.

“Our thoughts go out to the victims, their families, and all the residents of Yvelines. In this terrible ordeal, the Nation stands by their side.

“Recognition to our law enforcement forces who have already proceeded with the arrest of the perpetrator. The national antiterrorist prosecutor’s office has taken charge.”

Sebastien Lecornu, France’s prime minister, said following the incident: ‘All resources of the security forces and the judicial authority are fully mobilised. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office has announced that it is monitoring the situation.’

Valérie Pécresse, president of the Île-de-France region which the affected towns lie in, said on X: ‘The cities of Trappes and La Verrière struck by an assassin who was quickly apprehended. Bravo to our law enforcement forces. All light must be quickly shed on this tragedy. My thoughts go to the victims, their families, and the grieving residents.’

Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally party, said on X: ‘The massacre that took place this morning in Trappes is a barbaric act whose motivations must be established, and those responsible severely punished. I extend my condolences and support to the victims and their families in the face of this horrific tragedy.’ 

Mr Rabeh said this morning in a Facebook post: ‘I offer my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased, as well as my full support to the other victims.

‘I would like to commend the intervention of the law enforcement and emergency services. The city remains in close contact with the relevant authorities.

‘An investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances of these events and the motives of the shooter. The city will set up a psychological support unit within the next few hours.’ 

France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor has launched a preliminary investigation that will look at charges of murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise and attempted assassinations in connection with a terrorist enterprise. 

On top of this, anti-terror investigators are looking into charges of possession of a Category A weapon and terrorist conspiracy with a view to preparing crimes.  

The shooting happened as France braces for another day of protests against the high cost of living on Saturday. 

Major museums are closing their doors and the government is deploying a significantly larger security presence to prevent a repeat of last week’s violent unrest which shocked the country. 

France had seen a spate of Islamist attacks, including the slaughter by jihadists in the heart of Paris in November 2015 that killed 130.

There have been fewer incidents in recent years but officials have warned that the risk remains and that attempted attacks are repeatedly thwarted by intelligence gathering.

Samuel Paty, a teacher in another Paris suburb, was beheaded by a radical Islamist in 2020 after he showed his class caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed.

Trappes has seen its own share of tension, after a teacher there reported receiving threats after writing that the state did not do enough to protect Mr Paty.

More to follow.