A 39-year-old man has admitted to targeting Muslims and people of African descent during a shooting spree in the suburbs of Paris that left one person dead and seven others injured.
According to the BBC on the 29th, the French National Anti-Terror Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) has charged Kevin T. with murder and attempted murder related to terrorism for the shooting that occurred in the western suburbs of Trappes and La Verrière.
The suspect drove through the two areas on the 23rd, firing at pedestrians for about 15 minutes. The attack resulted in the death of 26-year-old Pengbo Siwo Wangqi, a martial artist of French-Congolese nationality, and injured seven others, including a child. One of the injured is reported to be in critical condition.
During the investigation, the suspect stated that he targeted individuals who appeared to be Muslim, African, or North African. Anti-terror prosecutor Olivier Christian explained that the suspect viewed the two areas as 'hotbeds of Islamism' and chose them as his attack locations.
Additionally, a report from the French daily Le Monde on the 29th indicated that investigators found evidence suggesting the suspect had premeditated the attack.
It was revealed that he purchased components necessary to enhance the firearm's performance starting from September 3, nearly two months before the attack. Two days prior to the shooting, he closed his social media accounts, sold his computer, and hid his mobile phone. Authorities consider this as evidence of planning.
However, the suspect claimed he had no intention of committing terrorism, asserting that his actions were justified and that he does not regret them.
Police discovered firearms and related components, as well as the Quran, the Bible, and Adolf Hitler's book 'Mein Kampf' at the suspect's home. Stickers praising the far-right National Rally (RN) party were also found.
French President Emmanuel Macron characterized the incident as a 'racially motivated terrorist attack' and criticized certain political factions on the far right for contributing to the spread of a racist atmosphere.
In response, the National Rally countered that President Macron himself bears responsibility for the spread of hateful ideologies.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.