A gunman opened fire on unsuspecting pedestrians in several communities outside Paris, killing one man and injuring five others, including a 12-year-old girl, in what French authorities are investigating as a racially motivated terrorist attack.
The shooting unfolded Friday morning, October 23, in Trappes and neighboring La Verrière, two suburbs approximately 20 miles southwest of the French capital.
According to investigators, the attacker drove through the streets firing an automatic weapon at people near a gas station, a medical center and a children’s playground.
The violence lasted approximately 15 to 20 minutes, leaving residents terrified as police raced to stop the gunman.
One man was killed, while five others were wounded, some critically. Among the injured was a 12-year-old girl who was reportedly struck by multiple bullets and rushed to a hospital in Paris.
French broadcaster BFMTV reported that the child had been shot eight times. Officials have not released a detailed public update on her recovery.
The man killed in the attack was identified Saturday by his martial arts club as Pengo Bossio Wangi, a 26-year-old amateur mixed martial arts fighter.
His club, Atch Academy in the Paris suburb of Aubervilliers, shared an emotional tribute remembering him for his kindness, energy and generosity.
The shooting began Friday morning when witnesses reported seeing a driver firing repeatedly from a vehicle as he traveled between the two communities.
Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh said the suspect appeared determined to cause widespread casualties, describing the attack as an apparent attempt to kill as many people as possible.
Terrified pedestrians scrambled for safety as gunfire erupted in several locations.
Police officers from a specialized anti-crime unit eventually intercepted the suspect in nearby Coignières, bringing the violence to an end.
Authorities arrested a 39-year-old man identified in French media as Kevin T. His full surname has not been publicly released.
As investigators examined the attacker’s movements, troubling evidence emerged suggesting that the victims may have been selected because of their race or perceived religion.
Rabeh described the shooting as racist and potentially Islamophobic, pointing to the backgrounds of some of those targeted.
French President Emmanuel Macron later visited Trappes and delivered an unusually forceful condemnation, describing the violence as a racist terrorist attack.
According to Macron, investigators had uncovered indications that the gunman deliberately chose his victims based on their appearance, including their skin color and perceived religious background.
The president called the shooting a deeply troubling moment for France and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families.
The investigation took another significant turn Saturday when French newspaper Le Monde reported that the suspect had allegedly made racist statements to officers after his arrest.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, he claimed he wanted revenge for businesses damaged during violent demonstrations the previous weekend.
The suspect allegedly told officers that he had targeted Black and Arab people in response to the unrest.
Investigators are examining those statements as part of their effort to determine his motive.
Authorities also searched the suspect’s home in Plaisir, where they reportedly discovered a copy of Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf.”
More alarmingly, investigators found what appeared to be a booby-trap device involving gas canisters connected to wires and a timer.
Bomb disposal specialists were called in to examine the device and secure the residence.
Police also recovered additional items from the suspect’s vehicle, while investigators began reviewing electronic devices for evidence of possible extremist connections.
French authorities have not established whether the suspect belonged to an organized extremist group or acted alone.
The country’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office has taken over the case and opened an investigation into murder and attempted murder connected to suspected terrorist activity.
Investigators are also examining whether the crimes were motivated by the victims’ race, ethnicity or religion.
The suspect remained in police custody Saturday after authorities extended his detention to allow additional questioning.
The investigation has shaken residents of Trappes, a diverse community with a substantial population of families whose roots extend across North Africa and other parts of the world.
For many residents, the fact that ordinary pedestrians and a child were targeted near everyday locations has made the attack especially frightening.
Local officials have announced psychological support services for people affected by the violence, including witnesses and families who experienced the shooting.
The tragedy also comes during a period of heightened political and social tension in France, following nationwide demonstrations that turned violent in several cities the previous weekend.
However, investigators are still working to establish the suspect’s precise motivations and whether those broader events directly influenced his actions.
French officials have emphasized the need to protect communities from violence motivated by hatred while ensuring that everyone responsible is held accountable.
For the family of Pengo Bossio Wangi, the investigation cannot undo the loss of a young man whose friends and teammates remember him as a kind and energetic presence.
Meanwhile, the families of the five injured victims are waiting for news of their recovery, particularly the young girl who was caught in the gunfire.
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