Macron brands Paris suburb shooting France’s first ‘racist terrorist attack’
French President Emmanuel Macron has described a deadly shooting near Paris as the country's first 'racist terrorist attack,' sparking criticism for overlooking previous Islamist attacks targeting religious groups.
A 39-year-old gunman identified as Kevin T. opened fire from a car in Trappes and neighboring La Verriere on Friday morning, killing 26-year-old aspiring MMA fighter Pengo Bossio Wangi and injuring five others, including a 12-year-old girl shot eight times. Other victims reportedly included a woman wearing a headscarf, a man of North African origin, and two school cleaners of African origin.
Police recovered a submachine gun from the suspect's vehicle and discovered three gas cylinders wired to a timer in his apartment. Kevin T. had 13 previous criminal-record entries but was not on a terrorism watchlist.
Macron's declaration
Visiting Trappes on Friday evening, Macron declared the shooting a historic 'turning point' for France. 'This is the first time there has been a terrorist act aimed at killing our compatriots and our children for the colour of their skin or what their religion is thought to be,' he claimed.
This is the first time there has been a terrorist act aimed at killing our compatriots and our children for the colour of their skin or what their religion is thought to be.
Backlash and clarification
The French leader's sweeping claim sparked criticism online, with commentators pointing to previous Islamist terrorist attacks that specifically targeted people because of their religion. In March 2012, Islamist gunman Mohamed Merah murdered a rabbi and three Jewish children at a school in Toulouse. In January 2015, ISIS-linked terrorist Amedy Coulibaly attacked a kosher supermarket in Paris, killing four Jewish hostages.
Following the backlash, the Elysee sought to clarify Macron's remarks, telling TF1 that he had specifically meant the first racist terrorist attack motivated by skin color, despite his explicit reference to religion.
Political tensions
The shooting comes amid nationwide unrest that has fueled a bitter political dispute over immigration and security. US President Donald Trump has blamed uncontrolled immigration and radical groups for the violence, while Macron has accused the ultra-left of orchestrating riots.
The Trappes shooting has intensified political tensions ahead of next year's presidential election. Communist candidate Fabien Roussel accused the far right of spreading 'racist hatred,' while National Rally leader Marine Le Pen condemned the shooting and its 'abject motive of racism.'
France's anti-terrorism prosecutors have opened an investigation into suspected terrorist murder with a racist motive. The suspect's precise ideological affiliations remain under investigation.
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