By Salma El-Sakka
A man suspected of a deadly shooting near Paris last week has admitted targeting people of "Muslim, African or North African" appearance, prosecutors said Thursday.
Attack details
One man was killed and seven people, including a child, were injured last Friday when the attacker opened fire while driving through the western suburbs of Trappes and La Verrière. The suspect has been charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise, the national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office said.
Victim and injuries
The deceased was identified as Pengo Bossio Wangi, a 26-year-old French-Congolese martial artist. Three of the wounded remain hospitalized, with one in critical condition, terrorism prosecutor Olivier Christen told reporters.
Suspect profile
French media named the suspect as 39-year-old Kevin T. He told investigators he chose the locations because he saw them as a "hotbed for Islamists." Kevin T denied any "terrorist intent," insisted his actions were "legitimate," and said he "feels no regret," Christen said. Police found weapons or weapon components at his home, along with books including a Quran, a Bible, and Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf, as well as stickers celebrating the far-right National Rally (RN) party. The suspect said he designed the stickers himself more than a year ago but denied being a member or supporter of any political party.
Political reaction
President Emmanuel Macron called the shooting a "racist terrorist attack," and anti-racism demonstrations have been held across France. Macron said certain far-right political movements, including the RN and those close to them, had allowed a climate of racism "to take root." RN lawmaker Jean-Philippe Tanguy countered that the president himself had allowed "hateful ideologies" to flourish. France's presidential election is six months away, with RN leader Marine Le Pen currently leading opinion polls.
