France opens terror case in Paris suburb shooting

French prosecutors have opened a terrorist investigation into a drive-by shooting in the Paris suburbs that killed one person and injured five others. The National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office classified the incident as murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise. The case also includes charges for conspiracy to commit crimes against persons and possession of a Category A weapon.

The attack lasted approximately 15 minutes on Thursday. The driver fired from a grey Renault Clio in Trappes, south-west of Paris, before moving to the neighboring town of La Verrière. Witnesses reported the gunman targeted individuals at a petrol station, a medical center, and a playground. He was detained on the main road in La Verrière after the shooting spree ended.

President Emmanuel Macron visited the scene and labeled the event a racist terrorist attack. He stated that the incident represented a turning point for the Republic, marking the first random racial killing of this nature in France. Macron said victims were selected based on skin color or religion. He urged citizens to resist ideologies taking root.

French media identified the suspect as Kevin T, 39. He had four prior convictions that were automatically expunged. Police knew him, but intelligence services did not. The prosecutor's office confirmed he was not listed as a serious threat to national security. A member of his immediate family was also taken into custody on Friday.

Three of the five wounded remain in serious condition. One victim is a 12-year-old girl who suffered eight gunshot wounds. Her mother told RTL that the child was wearing a headscarf and wondered if that was the reason she was targeted. The girl was born in Trappes and is French.

Trappes mayor Ali Rabeh said the gunman fired randomly while hoping to cause as many casualties as possible. He described the driver's intent as causing carnage. A local police chief told BFMTV that the suspect used an older-style semi-automatic weapon. Le Parisien reported the firearm dated back to World War Two.

The precise motive has not yet been established. The investigation covers the specific acts of violence in the two towns and the classification of the weapon used. The Category A designation includes military-grade arms and weapons capable of firing in bursts.