TRAPPES, France – A gunman firing from his car killed one person and wounded four others in the Paris suburb of Trappes on Friday, with prosecutors now investigating the shooting as a potential terrorist attack.

The alleged shooter, a 39-year-old man, drove through Trappes and neighbouring La Verriere firing at what appeared to be random targets before police arrested him in the nearby town of Coignieres. Authorities say at least two of the victims were from immigrant backgrounds.

Young girl fights for life after attack

Among the wounded is a 12-year-old girl who was shot eight times. The mayor of La Verriere, Nicolas Dainville, told AFP news agency the child is in a serious condition but remains stable.

Trappes mayor Ali Rabeh told broadcaster BFMTV the gunman was “firing at random, wanting to cause a bloodbath” as he drove through the streets. However, Rabeh noted the person killed was of African origin, while one of the critically wounded victims is of north African origin.

“I don’t want to say anything definitive about the motive yet, but it’s a miracle there weren’t more casualties,” the mayor said.

Investigation points to racial targeting

Prosecutors have opened an investigation for murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise. They are examining whether the shooter targeted victims based on their real or supposed race, ethnicity, nationality or religion.

A police source told AFP the man fired in bursts from his vehicle around 10:30. Trappes sits about 20 kilometres west of Paris.

Samy, a local resident, told AFP he saw a body on the ground from his window. His mother saw a grey Renault Clio speeding by and heard loud bangs.

Nation rallies behind victims

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu wrote on X the case was “very serious” and that all resources of the security forces and judiciary are fully mobilised.

President Emmanuel Macron said “the nation is standing with” the victims of this “terrible ordeal”.

The shooting comes as France remains on edge following riots during mass protests over the cost of living. The street violence marked some of the worst unrest the country has seen in recent years. More protests are expected this weekend, with police promising a larger presence after overnight curfews were put in place in cities throughout the country.

Trappes experienced its own tension recently after a teacher reported receiving threats for writing that the state did not do enough to protect Samuel Paty. The teacher was beheaded by a radical Islamist in 2020 in another Paris suburb after he showed his class caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed.

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