Paris Suburb Shooting: Suspect Sent for Psychiatric Observation

A deadly drive‑by attack rippled through Trappes, a commuter town to Paris, leaving one person dead and five injured on Friday. Police say the gunman, who opened fire from his car, seemed to target people of migrant origin. The suspect, identified in French media as 39‑year‑old Kevin T, was transferred to a psychiatric unit for evaluation before any further interrogation. The National Anti‑Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office said the move followed guidance from a psychiatric expert, and the assessment, expected to last 48 hours, will determine whether the suspect remains in police custody. President Emmanuel Macron called the shooting a “racist terrorist attack”, adding that victims were targeted on the basis of skin colour or religion, and described the incident as a “turning point” for the nation. Forensic investigators also discovered a Bible, a Quran and a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf in the suspect’s home, while drug tests revealed cannabis and cocaine in his bloodstream. The victim, 26‑year‑old French‑Congolese martial artist Pengo Bossio Wangi, was the only fatality, and local authorities highlighted his community contributions. Three injured parties were taken to hospital in serious condition, including a 12‑year‑old girl, while another recovered and a third remained critical. The suspect had prior convictions that were later expunged and had previously been known to police but not intelligence services. Authorities report he used an old semi‑automatic weapon, firing in bursts from his car window during the assault.