A man was killed and a 12-year-old girl seriously injured by a gunman who went on a 'racist' rampage with a Second World War-era machine-gun in the suburbs of Paris.
Three other people were injured in what police are investigating as a suspected terror attack.
The armed man, named locally as 39-year-old Kevin T, fired randomly as he drove through several areas of Trappes and neighbouring La Verriere at about 10.30am today.
The gunman seemed intent on 'causing as many casualties as possible', according to Trappes mayor Ali Rabeh, who described the rampage as 'racist [and] probably Islamophobic'.
Gunshots were reported at several locations including a playground as the attacker attempted to 'cause carnage', Mr Rabeh added.
A man of African origin aged 26 was killed while a 12-year-old girl was seriously wounded after being shot eight times. Two men, aged 29 and 49, have been taken to hospital after suffering life-threatening injuries.
Mayor of La Verriere, Nicolas Dainville, said the suspect was of a 'European type' while France's national anti-terrorism prosecutors have taken up the case as a suspected terrorist incident.
They are investigating whether the acts targeted the 'real or supposed race, ethnicity, nationality or religion' of the victims.
During his arrest, Kevin T 'made no secret... [that] he was there to kill people he considered to be of foreign origin,' according to local MP Laurent Mazaury.
The perpetrator fired a STEN-type sub-machine gun from the Second World War from a grey Renault Clio during what interior minister Laurent Nuñez described as a 'murderous rampage'.
It has been revealed that police found Kevin T's home was booby-trapped with gas cylinders. His mother has also been contacted as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police officers at petrol station where a man opened fire from his car in Trappes, France, on October 23, 2026
The suspect, who had a shaved head and was wearing a blue jumper and jeans, was arrested in a car park in nearby Coignières less than ten minutes after the first emergency calls were made.
Police are now searching the suspect's home, with elite officers and a bomb squad dispatched to the property.
One woman in Trappes told local media: 'I don't understand. You can't imagine something like this happening right outside your door. How could anyone do that?'
France's national anti-terrorism prosecutors have launched a preliminary investigation that will look at charges of murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise and attempted assassinations in connection with a terrorist enterprise.
On top of this, anti-terror investigators are looking into charges of possession of a Category A weapon and terrorist conspiracy with a view to preparing crimes.
At the scene today, Mr Nuñez said the incident was 'clearly a terrorist crime'.
Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, said after news of the deadly shooting broke: 'Deep emotion following the shooting attack that occurred in Trappes and La Verrière. One person has died. Several others are seriously injured.
France's Interior Minister Laurent Nunez (pictured, centre) visited the scene of the deadly shooting on October 23, 2026
Policemen stand guard in front of a health center after a shooting left one person dead and four others wounded in Trappes, outside Paris, Friday, October 23, 2026
'Our thoughts go out to the victims, their families, and all the residents of Yvelines. In this terrible ordeal, the Nation stands by their side.
'Recognition to our law enforcement forces who have already proceeded with the arrest of the perpetrator. The national antiterrorist prosecutor's office has taken charge.'
Sebastien Lecornu, France's prime minister, said: 'All resources of the security forces and the judicial authority are fully mobilised. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office has announced that it is monitoring the situation.'
Valérie Pécresse, president of the Île-de-France region in which the affected towns lie, wrote on X: 'The cities of Trappes and La Verrière struck by an assassin who was quickly apprehended. Bravo to our law enforcement forces.
'All light must be quickly shed on this tragedy. My thoughts go to the victims, their families, and the grieving residents.'
Marine Le Pen, leader of the hard-Right National Rally party, said on X: 'The massacre that took place this morning in Trappes is a barbaric act whose motivations must be established, and those responsible severely punished. I extend my condolences and support to the victims and their families in the face of this horrific tragedy.'
Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the Left-wing La France Insoumise party, wrote on X: 'Racism kills. In Trappes, at least one dead and four seriously injured, including a 12-year-old child.
'The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office has been seized for racist murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise.
Police arrested the suspect shortly after the first emergency calls were made
The motive for the shooting is not currently known
'Faced with this heinous crime, all human beings remember that they are alike by seeing themselves all horrified and indignant.
'Here, around me, we all extend our most heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, our support to the injured and their loved ones, as well as our total solidarity to the entire population.'
Mr Rabeh said this morning in a Facebook post: 'I offer my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased, as well as my full support to the other victims.
'I would like to commend the intervention of the law enforcement and emergency services. The city remains in close contact with the relevant authorities.
'An investigation is under way to determine the exact circumstances of these events and the motives of the shooter. The city will set up a psychological support unit within the next few hours.'
The shooting happened as France braces for another day of protests against the high cost of living on Saturday.
Major museums are closing their doors and the government is deploying a significantly larger security presence to prevent a repeat of last week's violent unrest which shocked the country.
France had seen a spate of Islamist attacks, including the slaughter by jihadists in the heart of Paris in November 2015 that killed 130.
Police cordoned off the petrol station in Trappes, France, to investigate the deadly shooting on October 23, 2026
Investigators are on the scene, looking at the evidence left behind following the shooting in France
There have been fewer incidents in recent years but officials have warned that the risk remains and that attempted attacks are repeatedly thwarted by intelligence gathering.
Samuel Paty, a teacher in another Paris suburb, was beheaded by a radical Islamist in 2020 after he showed his class caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed.
Trappes has seen its own share of tension, after a teacher there reported receiving threats after writing that the state did not do enough to protect Mr Paty.
More to follow.
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