Paris horror: ‘Indiscriminate shooting’ in broad daylight a day before mass protest leaves 1 dead, 4 injured

[Financial News] A day before a mass protest against soaring prices, a horrific shooting spree unfolded in the suburbs of Paris, France, as a gunman drove around firing indiscriminately, leaving one person dead and four injured. French authorities have opened an investigation, keeping open the possibility that the attack was terrorism motivated by race or religion.
On the 23rd (local time), according to AFP and other foreign news outlets, a man fired at passersby from inside a car at around 10:30 a.m. in and around Trappes and La Verrière, suburban towns west of Paris. The suspect, believed to be 39, drove to several locations, including gas stations, medical facilities and playgrounds, firing randomly before fleeing. Police arrested him in nearby Coignières.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said, “It appears the perpetrator used a military-grade weapon, or at least an automatic weapon.” The shooting killed one resident of African descent and left four others with moderate to serious injuries. Local officials, including La Verrière Mayor Nicolas Dainville, said the injured included a 12-year-old girl who was shot eight times and a resident of North African descent who is currently in critical condition.
With many of the casualties identified as having migrant backgrounds, the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) immediately took over the case. Prosecutors are closely examining whether the killing was linked to a terrorist organization and motivated by the victims’ race, ethnicity, nationality or religion.
President Emmanuel Macron called it a “horrific tragedy” in a social media post and expressed his condolences, saying, “The nation stands with the victims, their families and all residents.” Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu also said that all available resources of the security and judicial authorities were being mobilized in response.
The incident occurred just ahead of a mass protest against price hikes scheduled for the 24th, as security authorities had significantly stepped up their vigilance to prevent a recurrence of violence. Tensions are mounting across France.


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