A gunman opened fire with a machine gun in a Paris suburb, killing one person and injuring four others, including a 12-year-old girl.
According to Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh, the armed suspect drove through “several neighbourhoods” in Trappes and nearby La Verrière, firing at random at about 10:30 a.m.
The attacker appeared determined to “cause as many casualties as possible,” opening fire at multiple sites, including a playground.
French news organisation Actu identified the alleged gunman as 39-year-old Kevin T. from Plaisir. The 12-year-old girl was reportedly hit eight times in the pelvis.
Le Parisien reported that the suspect fired a Second World War-era STEN-style submachine gun from a vehicle. The newspaper also said he was known to police because of previous offences.
Mr Rabeh said the gunman “wanted to cause carnage,” adding: “It is a miracle that there were not more victims.”
The mayor said the person killed was of African origin, while one of the critically injured victims was of North African origin.
The suspect was later arrested in a car park in Trappes. Police said the motive for the shooting had not yet been established.
Local media said the man had a shaved head and was wearing a blue jumper and jeans when the shooting took place.
France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor has assumed control of the investigation and is treating the incident as a suspected “terror” attack. Investigators are examining whether terrorism charges should be brought.
Firefighters respond at a petrol station in Trappes, France, after a man opened fire from his car on October 23, 2026
Police officers gather at the petrol station in Trappes, France, where a man opened fire from his vehicle on October 23, 2026
French President Emmanuel Macron said after news of the deadly shooting emerged: “Deep emotion following the shooting attack that occurred in Trappes and La Verrière. One person has died. Several others are seriously injured.
“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.”
France’s Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said after the incident: “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 where Trappes and La Verrière are located, said 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.”
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Local officials told Le Monde that emergency crews were responding, but warned that the situation was “not yet stable.”
Nicolas Dainville, the mayor of La Verrière, said the injured girl was in a “stable” condition. He added that two men, aged 29 and 49, had been taken to separate hospitals.
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 underway 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.’
France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor has 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.
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
The shooting happened as France braces for another day of protests against the high cost of living on Saturday.
Interior minister Laurent Nuñez today said he will go to the scene ‘in a few moments’.
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.
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.