A suspected gunman in the Paris suburbs has admitted targeting people he believed were Muslim, African, or North African, prosecutors said Thursday. The attack last week killed one person and injured five others, including a child, prompting a terrorism investigation.
The 39-year-old suspect, identified as Kevin T., now faces allegations involving deliberate targeting and possible terrorist motives. However, he continues to deny having terrorist intentions, according to national terrorism prosecutor Olivier Christen.
Suspect Admits Selecting Victims Based on Their Appearance
Earlier this week, Kevin T. said he did not “dispute the material facts” but challenged “the racist nature of his crimes”. On Thursday, prosecutors said he acknowledged targeting individuals who appeared to belong to specific religious or ethnic groups.
Christen said the suspect claimed he chose the location because it was “a hotbed for Islamists”. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the attack and the suspect’s stated motivations.
The victims came under fire from a vehicle travelling through Trappes and La Verrière, towns west of Paris. Authorities detained the suspect later on Friday, finding a machine gun and tear-gas grenades inside his car.
Several Victims Remain Hospitalised
The shooting killed one person and wounded five others, including a child. Four victims suffered serious injuries, and three remained in hospital when Christen addressed the news conference.
“three of the victims remain hospitalised as I speak, and one of them is still in life-threatening condition,” Christen said.
He also highlighted the “very high level of preparation” behind the attack. Despite the evidence under investigation, Kevin T. denied any “terrorist intent” and regarded his actions as “legitimate”, Christen said.
The suspect remained in police custody and was expected to appear before a judge on Thursday. Christen said he had requested the suspect’s pretrial detention.
Weapons and Political Stickers Found During Search
A search of the suspect’s home uncovered additional items that investigators are examining. These included “weapons or weapon components, specifically a magazine, two pairs of brass knuckles, a steel bayonet, and a silencer,” Christen said.
Investigators also found several books, including a Quran, a Bible, and Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf. In addition, they discovered stickers bearing slogans associated with France’s far-right National Rally (RN) party.
The stickers included phrases such as “Long live France, RN, proud to be French”. However, Christen said the party led by Marine Le Pen had not produced them.
Le Pen is leading opinion polls ahead of next spring’s French presidential election, in which she is seeking to succeed Emmanuel Macron.
Suspect Denies Political Party Affiliation
According to Christen, Kevin T. told investigators that “he designed the stickers found in his home himself, and then ordered them to be manufactured via Amazon more than a year ago.”
The suspect also maintained that “he is neither a member of nor a sympathiser with any political party”, Christen said.
Meanwhile, the national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office has opened a judicial investigation, allowing a judge to take charge of the case. The investigation includes potential charges of “murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise”.
Authorities are continuing to examine the evidence, the suspect’s statements, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting as the judicial process moves forward.
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