Edward Marchesi On Friday, October 23, around 10:30 a.m., the streets of the municipalities of Trappes and La Verrière , located in the Yvelines department south of Paris, were rocked by a sudden terrorist attack . A man, who remained in his car, fired at random using a Sten machine gun , a weapon dating back to the Second World War, causing what the authorities called an attempted massacre.
The toll that morning was tragic: a 26-year-old man of African origin died instantly, while four others were injured, including a 12-year-old girl. Among the injured males were a 20-year-old man, a 29-year-old man, and a 47-year-old man, the latter a cleaner.
All were promptly rescued by firefighters and medical personnel, but the trauma remained profound in the community.
Armed attack on Trappes and La Verrière
The man first fired in the Trappes area and then, without any apparent target, continued his attack in La Verrière, indiscriminately targeting passersby and motorists. According to testimony from Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh, the attacker "wanted a massacre" and took the opportunity to strike "randomly."
The vehicle carrying the attacker was stopped shortly after in Coignières, where police were able to arrest the suspect, identified as Kevin T.
The victims
The deceased victim was a 26-year-old man, whose identity has been confirmed by law enforcement. Among the injured, the youngest is a 12-year-old girl, seriously injured but currently stabilized. The other three men sustained injuries of varying degrees and are being treated at local hospitals. Authorities emphasized that, had the attacker continued shooting, the death toll could have been much higher.
Reaction of the authorities and visit of Emmanuel Macron
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez immediately arrived at the scene of the attack, calling the incident "very serious" and describing it as a "terrorist crime." He announced the opening of a criminal investigation into "murder in connection with a terrorist undertaking" and the "possession of category A weapons," referring to the machine gun used. French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Trappes in the evening, expressing his "deep emotion" and solidarity with all those mobilized.
During his visit, Macron met with Mayor Ali Rabeh, rescue workers, and several residents of Trappes, reiterating that the nation stands with the victims and their families. The president also thanked the police for the swift arrest and the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office for its handling of the investigation.
Anti-terrorism investigation
The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) immediately opened an investigation, charging him with "murder in connection with terrorist activity," aggravated by racial motivation. The investigation also includes the "possession of category A weapons" and "terrorist-related criminal conspiracy" aimed at preparing crimes against individuals. Authorities also seized the suspect's apartment, finding hidden gas cylinders, intended as a "trap."
The case has been classified by authorities as a racist terrorist attack , emphasizing the seriousness of the motive and the attacker's intent to strike indiscriminately. The scene remains under constant surveillance, while investigations continue to determine whether there were additional accomplices or a broader network behind the attack.