Gunman Opens Fire From Car in Paris Suburb, Killing One in What Macron Calls a Racist Terror Attack

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

President Emmanuel Macron called it "a racist terror attack" and said the suspect's statements pointed to premeditation. "These people were targeted because of their skin color or perceived religion, and for no other reason," Macron said after meeting officials and residents. "There is no place for this in France."

Trappes mayor Ali Rabeh told broadcaster BFMTV that the suspect drove through Trappes and neighboring La Verriere "firing at random, wanting to cause a bloodbath." He said the gunman targeted passersby at three locations, including a playground, and called it a "miracle" that there were not more casualties. Rabeh described the attack as probably one of the first attempted mass killings motivated by Islamophobia and racism, with "racist, likely Islamophobic, overtones."

A police source told Agence France-Presse the shooter fired in bursts from his vehicle at around 10:30 a.m. local time. Samy, a Trappes resident, said he saw a body on the ground from his window. His mother saw a gray Renault Clio speeding past and heard "loud bangs," he said. Forensic investigators were also seen examining evidence at a gas station.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the weapon appeared to be military-grade, or at least automatic. He said the attack lasted just under 15 minutes and was ended by five officers from the anti-crime brigade. The suspect was arrested in the nearby town of Coignieres.

Officials first reported four wounded, but Rabeh later said the figure was five, three of them very seriously hurt and in danger of dying. The mayor of La Verriere, Nicolas Dainville, told AFP that the 12-year-old girl was shot eight times and is in stable condition. Rabeh said the person killed was "of African origin" and that one critically wounded victim is of North African origin.

Prosecutors have opened an investigation for "murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise" and are examining whether the attacks targeted the "real or supposed race, ethnicity, nationality or religion" of the victims. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office said three more people from the suspect's family and circle of friends were placed in police custody Friday evening and overnight, without saying why. It added that the suspect has four prior convictions, all legally expunged. The suspect has not been publicly identified.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu wrote 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.

The shooting came as France was already on edge. The country has seen mass protests over the cost of living and a week of overnight curfews. Students, labor union members and Yellow Vest activists are expected to demonstrate again Saturday. Nuñez said about 70,000 police officers and gendarmes will be deployed, backed by elite units guarding public buildings, helicopters, armored vehicles and water cannons. He promised an "absolutely uncompromising" response to violence, looting or vandalism.

Major Paris museums, including the Louvre, will be closed, and Art Basel Paris has canceled its weekend program over safety concerns, the Associated Press reported.