Gunman in Paris suburb kills 1, wounds several in possible terrorist act, wanted "to cause a bloodbath," officials say

A gunman shooting from his car killed one person and injured at least 5 others, including a 12-year-old girl, in the Paris suburb of Trappes on Friday, in what authorities described as a racially motivated act of terrorism.

President Emmanuel Macron called it "a racist terror attack" and said the suspect's statements suggested it was premeditated.

"These people were targeted because of their skin color or perceived religion, and for no other reason," Macron said following a meeting with officials and residents. "There is no place for this in France."

Prosecutors said they were investigating whether the acts targeted the "real or supposed race, ethnicity, nationality or religion" of the victims. They said they have opened an investigation for "murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise." 

The alleged shooter was "firing at random, wanting to cause a bloodbath" as he drove through Trappes and neighboring La Verriere, Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh told broadcaster BFMTV.  

"This is probably one of the first attempted mass killings motivated by Islamophobia and racism," Rabeh told reporters, the Associated Press reported. "This was a terrorist attack with racist, likely Islamophobic, overtones." 

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the suspect fired "what appears to have been a military-grade weapon, or at least an automatic weapon." Rabeh called it a "miracle" that there were not more casualties. Nuñez said the gunman "clearly" committed "a terrorist crime" that may have been racially motivated.

Rabeh said the gunman targeted passersby at three separate locations, including a playground. Forensic investigators were also seen examining evidence at a gas station. 

A police source told the Agence France-Presse news agency that the gunman had fired in bursts from his vehicle around 10:30 a.m. local time. Samy, a resident of Trappes, about 13 miles west of Paris, told AFP he saw a body on the ground from his window. His mother, he said, saw a gray Renault Clio car speeding by and heard "loud bangs."

The alleged shooter was arrested in the nearby town of Coignieres. Nuñez said the attack lasted just under 15 minutes and was stopped by five officers from the anti-crime brigade.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on X that the case was "very serious" and that "all resources of the security forces and the judiciary are fully mobilised." Macron said "the nation is standing with" the victims of this "terrible ordeal."

Suspect had booby-trapped apartment, investigators say

The suspect has been partly identified as Kevin T. He is 39 years old. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office said Saturday that his detention has been extended. 

Investigators said the suspect had booby-trapped his apartment with gas bottles and electrical wires connected to a timer. He also had tear gas grenades in his car, officials said. 

A source close to the investigation told the AFP that a copy of Adolf Hitler's "Mein Kampf" was found in the suspect's apartment. A Bible and Quran were also found, the source said. 

The prosecutor's office said Saturday that "three additional individuals" from the suspect's "family and circle of friends" were placed in police custody on Friday evening and overnight. The office did not say why those individuals were placed in custody. 

The AFP reported later Saturday that four members of the suspect's family and circle of friends were arrested and were being questioned by investigators. A source close to the case told AFP that the suspect's parents were among those under arrest. 

The office also said the suspect's criminal record includes four prior convictions, all of which had been legally expunged. The office did not say what those convictions were for or when they occurred. 

Deceased victim identified as MMA fighter 

The deceased victim was identified as Pengo Bossio Wangi, a 26-year-old man of African origin. He was an up-and-coming mixed martial arts fighter. 

Hundreds of people rallied Saturday at the spot where he was killed, as other protests swept across France. The demonstrators held placards that called for "justice" and led a moment of silence honoring Wangi. 

"It could have been anyone. He opened fire on Blacks, Arabs. He knew the majority of the population here in Trappes is Muslim," a local shopkeeper of North African origin told AFP.

Wangi's family said the shooter was known to authorities, and demanded to know whether he had been properly monitored before the incident. In a statement released by the family's lawyer, they called for an investigation into potential failures on the part of the authorities and "to exhaustively establish the path that led to (the shooter's) radicalisation." 

Multiple injured, including 12-year-old girl

Officials initially said four people had been wounded, but Rabeh told reporters there were five, including three who were very seriously injured, with their lives in danger.  

A 12-year-old girl was seriously wounded after being shot eight times, but is in stable condition, the mayor of La Verriere, Nicolas Dainville, told the AFP. 

The injured victims have not been identified. Rabeh said that one of the wounded, "in critical condition, is of North African origin."

France on edge after street violence and protests

The shooting came with France on edge following riots that erupted amid mass protests over the cost of living, which saw some of the worst street violence in recent years. Demonstrators, including students, labor union members and activists from France's "Yellow Vest" movement, took to the streets again Saturday across the country. 

French police have maintained a large presence to maintain order. Dozens of arrests were reported, and some groups were tear-gassed. Resources including elite police units, helicopters, armored vehicles and water cannons have been deployed. 

In the city of Orleans, thousands of people marched against a congress held by Marine Le Pen's far-right National Rally party. About 50 organizations, including labor unions, left-wing parties and student groups, had called for a protest against Le Pen's nationalist, anti-immigration group. Some placards seen at the march referenced the shooting in Trappes. 

"Racism kills. The far right kills," a lawmaker from the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, Mathilde Panot, said at the rally near the spot of the shooting. Demonstrators also protested against Macron's policies and called on him to resign.  

Le Pen called for a "relentless" investigation and said it was "despicable" if racism was the shooter's motive.