70,000 Officers Deployed After Gunman Fires for 15 Minutes in Trappes

France has been experiencing heightened tension due to cost-of-living protests and recent curfews. Against this backdrop, a gunman killed one person and wounded five others in the Paris suburb of Trappes on Friday.

President Emmanuel Macron labeled the incident a racist terror attack. He stated that the victim was targeted specifically because of their skin color or perceived religion. "There is no place for this in France," Macron said after meeting with local officials and residents. He noted that the suspect's statements suggested the attack was premeditated.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that the shooting lasted just under 15 minutes. The gunman fired from a vehicle starting at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time. Five officers from the anti-crime brigade stopped the car and arrested the suspect in the nearby town of Coignieres. Nuñez described the weapon as appearing to be military-grade or automatic.

Trappes mayor Ali Rabeh said the suspect drove through Trappes and neighboring La Verriere, firing at random locations including a playground. Rabeh described the attack as likely one of the first attempted mass killings motivated by Islamophobia. The mayor of La Verriere, Nicolas Dainville, confirmed that a 12-year-old girl was shot eight times. She is currently in stable condition.

Officials initially reported four wounded, but the number was later revised to five. Three of the injured are in critical condition. Rabeh identified the person killed as being of African origin and said one critically wounded victim is of North African origin. A resident named Samy witnessed the scene from his window, seeing a body on the ground and hearing loud bangs as a gray Renault Clio sped past.

Prosecutors have opened an investigation for murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise. They are examining whether the victims were targeted based on real or supposed race, ethnicity, nationality, or religion. The suspect has four prior convictions that were legally expunged. Three individuals from the suspect's family and social circle were placed in police custody on Friday evening and overnight.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu described the case as very serious and confirmed that all security and judicial resources are fully mobilized. Interior Minister Nuñez announced that 70,000 police officers and gendarmes will be deployed. This force includes elite units, helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons. Major Paris museums, including the Louvre, have closed, and Art Basel Paris canceled its weekend program.