Shooter Killed One in Trappes Before Police Stopped Him in 15 Minutes

One person died and five others were wounded, including a 12-year-old girl shot eight times, when a gunman fired from a car in Trappes on Friday morning. The suspect drove through the suburb and neighboring La Verriere, shooting at passersby at three separate spots, among them a playground. La Verriere mayor Nicolas Dainville said the 12-year-old victim is in stable condition.

President Emmanuel Macron called the incident "a racist terror attack." He said the suspect's statements suggested planning. "These people were targeted because of their skin color or perceived religion, and for no other reason," Macron said after meeting officials and residents. Trappes mayor Ali Rabeh told BFMTV the attack carried "racist, likely Islamophobic, overtones."

A police source told Agence France-Presse the shooting started around 10:30 a.m. local time, with bursts fired from the vehicle. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the weapon appeared to be military-grade or at least automatic. He said the episode lasted just under 15 minutes and ended when five officers from the anti-crime brigade intervened. The suspect was arrested in the nearby town of Coignieres.

Rabeh said three of the five wounded are in very serious condition and in danger of dying. He identified the person killed as "of African origin" and said one critically wounded victim is of North African origin. A Trappes resident named Samy said his mother saw a gray Renault Clio speed past and heard "loud bangs," and he saw a body on the ground from his window.

Prosecutors opened an investigation for "murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise" and are examining whether the victims were selected for their "real or supposed race, ethnicity, nationality or religion." The National Anti-terrorism Prosecutor's Office said three additional people from the suspect's family and circle of friends were taken into custody Friday evening and overnight. The office said the suspect has four prior convictions, all legally expunged, and has not been publicly identified.

The shooting landed amid an already tense week in France. Nuñez said about 70,000 police officers and gendarmes would deploy Saturday, backed by helicopters, armored vehicles and water cannons. Major Paris museums including the Louvre were set to close, and Art Basel Paris canceled its weekend program over safety concerns.