France Shooting on Friday Leaves One Dead, Four Injured
A shooting across two towns west of Paris left one person dead and four others injured on Friday, October 23, after a gunman allegedly opened fire on passersby from a moving car. France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor has taken over the investigation, while the suspect remains in police custody.
12-Year-Old Girl Among the Injured in Attack Near Paris
The shooting occurred at around 10:30 a.m. in Trappes and neighboring La Verrière, in the Yvelines department west of the French capital.
The person killed was a 26-year-old man. Among the four injured was a 12-year-old girl who was reportedly struck by eight bullets. The mayor of La Verrière described reports about her condition as worrying.
Two other victims, men aged 29 and 49, were taken to hospital. According to initial reports, they were cleaners working at a local school. Authorities had not released detailed information about the fourth injured person.
Gunman allegedly fired at people from a car
According to French media reports, the suspect drove through several locations in Trappes in a Renault Clio, firing at people along the way.
Reported shooting locations included Van Gogh Square, an area near the post office, Pergaud Square, a petrol station along the N10 road and a healthcare center. Further shots were also reported in La Verrière, including near a pharmacy, the railway station and Rue Marcel-Rivière.
The newspaper “Le Parisien” reported that the weapon may have been a STEN submachine gun dating from World War II. This detail has not been presented as a final official finding.
Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh told BFMTV that the gunman appeared to shoot randomly at people and seemed intent on causing a massacre.
39-year-old suspect arrested
Police arrested a 39-year-old man in nearby Coignières shortly after the shooting. He was taken into custody for questioning.
French authorities said the suspect was not previously known to the country’s territorial intelligence service or the domestic intelligence agency DGSI, according to initial reports.
The suspect’s motive remains unclear.
Anti-terrorism prosecutors take over investigation
France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) has taken charge of the case. Investigators are examining possible terrorist links, as well as potential racist or religious motives and illegal weapons possession.
The decision to involve anti-terrorism prosecutors does not establish that the shooting was a terrorist attack. Investigators must determine the circumstances and motive before reaching conclusions.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez described the incident as extremely serious and said he was traveling to the area. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu also confirmed that the authorities were mobilized following the shooting.
President Emmanuel Macron expressed sympathy for the victims, their families and residents of the Yvelines department, while praising the police for arresting the suspect.
A psychological support center was being set up at La Verrière’s town hall, and emergency services remained at the scene as authorities continued their investigation.
The case remains under investigation, and further details may emerge as officials establish the suspect’s motive and the full circumstances of the shooting.
