Emmanuel Macron condemned racism in France after a drive-by shooting near Paris killed one person and wounded five others, including a 12-year-old girl.
What Happened
A gunman opened fire from a car in Trappes and La Verrière, west of Paris, on Friday morning.
Over 15 minutes, he fired an automatic weapon at a petrol station, a medical centre, and a children’s playground.
The attack killed one person and left five injured. The man killed was Pengo Bossio Wangi, a member of a mixed martial arts academy.
The academy paid tribute, saying his smile, energy, and generosity would remain deeply remembered.
A 12-year-old girl was shot eight times. She was treated at a children’s hospital and remains in critical condition.
Police stopped the suspect, Kevin T, in his car. Officers found a sten gun — a British submachine gun from World War II — and teargas grenades.
Authorities discovered the suspect had booby-trapped his home with gas canisters and electric wires connected to a timer. A family member was taken into custody for questioning.
Key Statements
President Macron called the attack a ‘premeditated’ and ‘racist terrorist attack.’
He said the gunman targeted people because of the colour of their skin.
Macron said racism has become part of France’s ‘ambient discourse,’ creating an atmosphere of division.
He urged national unity, saying many people would feel fear that such an attack could happen to them.
Ali Rabeh, the leftwing mayor of Trappes, called it ‘objectively a racist attack, probably Islamophobic.’
He said the victims could have been his mother, brothers, or sisters-in-law.
Rabeh said the girl was targeted because of her race, calling it one of the first mass crimes rooted in Islamophobia and racism.
Anti-terrorism prosecutors are investigating whether the shooter targeted people based on race, ethnicity, nationality, or religion.
Two of the wounded were African-origin cleaners attending a school when the attack happened.
Context and Response
The shooting occurred during a period of social tension in France.
Last Saturday saw one of the most violent days of unrest in years. Public buildings were burned. Hundreds of shops were looted. At least 2,400 people were arrested.
The unrest stemmed from teacher shortages, crumbling school buildings, and rising living costs.
Protests over these issues are expected to continue into the coming days.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, has been polling strongly ahead of next spring’s presidential election.
After the attack, Fabien Roussel, a Communist candidate, said the far right has contributed to a climate of ‘racist hatred’ in France.
He argued that such rhetoric normalizes prejudice and emboldens extremist actions.
Le Pen condemned the attack as having an ‘abject motive of racism’ and called it a ‘barbaric act.’
Why It Matters
This incident shows how deep racial prejudice remains in French society.
Targeting a young girl based on her appearance reveals how prejudice can be embedded in public spaces.
Macron’s public condemnation signals a direct response to systemic racism.
His remarks highlight how hate speech online can lead to real violence.
Public spaces like schools and medical centres are now seen as vulnerable in diverse communities.
As investigations continue, the government may introduce new policies on hate speech, community policing, and public safety.
What to Watch Next
Investigators will examine the suspect’s background, connections, and possible ideologies.
Protests over teacher shortages and school conditions may shift in tone or intensity.
The government may issue new guidelines on hate speech and safety in diverse communities.
For more on the incident, see at least one dead and four injured in Paris suburb shooting.
For broader context on unrest in France, see Paris and French Cities Torn by Riots Amid Protests Over Cost of Living.
Original reporting from The Guardian.
Sources & further reading
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