In brief
A 39‑year‑old man is placed under psychiatric observation after shooting from his car in Trappes, killing one person and injuring five. French officials said the evaluation will determine whether he can remain in custody, following guidance from a psychiatric expert. President Emmanuel Macron called the incident a “racist terrorist attack”, noting the victims were targeted for their skin colour or religion. The suspect, who carried a Bible, a Quran and a copy of Mein Kampf, tested positive for cannabis and cocaine.
A 39‑year‑old man named Kevin T was taken from police custody to a psychiatric unit after a car‑fire on the outskirts of Paris killed one person and injured five others. Police say the suspect used a semi‑automatic weapon from his vehicle, firing in bursts that targeted individuals of migrant origin. The National Anti‑Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) said the move follows expert advice and is intended to assess whether Kevin T is mentally fit for interrogation. It is expected to last 48 hours.
President Emmanuel Macron described the incident as a “racist terrorist attack”, stressing that the victims were chosen for the colour of their skin or religious background. He called it a turning point for France’s Republic and nation. According to PNAT, Kevin T had cannabis and cocaine in his bloodstream, and Le Monde reported that a Bible, a Quran and Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf were found in his home.
The victim who died, 26‑year‑old French‑Congolese martial artist Pengo Bossio Wangi, was a respected member of his local MMA club, which mourned his loss with a tribute to his leadership and generosity. Three wounded survivors are still in hospitals, including a 12‑year‑old girl who remains in critical condition; local officials reported that she is improving. Police say Kevin T had four prior convictions that were “automatically expunged”, and he was not on France’s intelligence database before the attack.
French authorities continue to investigate the motive and potential links to other extremist networks. The psychiatric assessment will decide whether the suspect remains in police care or is released for further legal proceedings. The case has drawn international attention to France’s handling of suspected terrorism and the use of psychiatric evaluation in criminal investigations.
