French prosecutor charges man with terrorism after 15-minute shooting spree

Prosecutors in France have charged a 39-year-old man with terrorism following a 15-minute shooting spree in two suburbs south-west of Paris. The violence, which killed one person and wounded five others, has been labeled a racist terrorist attack by President Emmanuel Macron. The suspect, identified by media as Kevin T, was arrested after firing from a vehicle across Trappes and the neighboring town of La Verrière.

The National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office stated the case involves murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise. Charges also include possession of a Category A weapon and conspiracy with a terrorist group. The office noted the suspect had four previous convictions that had been automatically expunged. While local media report he was known to police, a prosecutor told BFMTV he was not on a list of serious security threats. A member of his immediate family was also taken into custody on Friday.

Macron declared the incident a turning point for the Republic, calling it the first random racial killing of its kind in France. He stated victims were singled out due to skin color or religion and urged the public not to give an inch against ideologies taking root. The precise motive remains under investigation, but the president framed the event as a pivotal moment for the nation.

Witnesses described the attacker driving a grey Renault Clio through several neighborhoods. Trappes mayor Ali Rabeh said the gunman fired randomly, aiming to cause as many casualties as possible. He wanted to cause carnage, Rabeh stated. Targets included a petrol station, a medical center, and a playground in Trappes before the suspect moved to La Verrière. A police union official said he was detained on the main road in that town.

A local police chief told BFMTV the suspect used an older-style semi-automatic weapon. Le Parisien reported the firearm dated back to World War Two. Three of the wounded remain in serious condition, including a 12-year-old girl. Her mother told broadcaster RTL that her daughter suffered eight gunshot wounds and required surgery. She asked how anyone could do this to a child and noted her daughter had been wearing a headscarf. She said the girl, born in Trappes, has the right to make her life in France.

The investigation continues as authorities examine the connection between the suspect and the terrorist enterprise. The case highlights the use of military-grade arms in suburban attacks. The suspect's prior criminal history and his relationship to the detained family member are central to the ongoing legal proceedings.