Politics1 min read

Paris suburb shooting suspect targeted people of Muslim or African appearance, prosecutor says

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

French anti-terrorism prosecutors have officially charged the 39-year-old suspect with murder and attempted murder linked to a terrorist enterprise following the western Paris suburbs assault. The gunman claimed the deadly spree was justified, explicitly targeting victims based on race and religion because he viewed the neighborhoods as extremist hubs. The violence killed 26-year-old Pengo Bossio Wangi, injured seven others including a child, and prompted anti-racism demonstrations nationwide. Investigators searching the suspect's residence subsequently uncovered weapons components, varied ideological literature, and self-designed hard-right political stickers.

Key points

  • National anti-terrorism prosecutors formally charged the 39-year-old shooter with murder…: National anti-terrorism prosecutors formally charged the 39-year-old shooter with murder connected to a terrorist enterprise.
  • President Emmanuel Macron condemned the deadly incident as an act of racist terrorism, pr…: President Emmanuel Macron condemned the deadly incident as an act of racist terrorism, prompting protests across France.
  • The violent attack intensified political clashes between Emmanuel Macron and the National…: The violent attack intensified political clashes between Emmanuel Macron and the National Rally ahead of the presidential election.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

- Published

A man suspected of a deadly shooting near Paris last week has admitted targeting people of "Muslim, African or North African" appearance, prosecutors say.

A man was killed and seven people including a child were injured last Friday when an attacker opened fire as he drove through two western suburbs.

On Thursday the suspect was charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise, the national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office (PNAT) said.

President Emmanuel Macron called it a "racist terrorist attack" and anti-racism demonstrations have been held around France.

Pengo Bossio Wangi, a 26-year-old French-Congolese martial artist, was killed in the shooting.

Three of those wounded were still in hospital with one in critical condition, terrorism prosecutor Olivier Christen told reporters.

The suspect, named in French media as 39-year-old Kevin T, chose Trappes and nearby La Verrière because he saw them as a "hotbed for Islamists", he said.

Kevin T had denied any "terrorist intent", insisted his actions were "legitimate" and said he "feels no regret", Christen said.

Police found "weapons or weapon components" in the…

Politics