France: Thousands Rally in Paris Suburb Against Racist Shooting in Trappes
Thousands of people gathered in Trappes, a southwestern suburb of Paris, to pay tribute to 26-year-old Pengo Bossio Wangi, who was killed in a racially motivated shooting a week earlier. The attack left one person dead and seven others wounded, including children.France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor said the 39-year-old suspect, identified as Kevin T., admitted deliberately targeting…
Thousands of people gathered in Trappes, a southwestern suburb of Paris, to pay tribute to 26-year-old Pengo Bossio Wangi, who was killed in a racially motivated shooting a week earlier. The attack left one person dead and seven others wounded, including children.
France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor said the 39-year-old suspect, identified as Kevin T., admitted deliberately targeting people he perceived as Muslim, African or North African based on their appearance. He said he chose Trappes and nearby La Verrière because he viewed them as a “hotbed for Islamists.”
Prosecutors said weapons or weapon components, copies of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf, a Quran, a Bible and stickers associated with the far-right National Rally were found at the suspect’s home. He has been charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise, although he denied having a terrorist motive.
President Emmanuel Macron described the attack as a “racist terrorist attack” and accused the National Rally and its allies of fostering an atmosphere of racism in France. Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh also blamed the far-right party, saying the gunman’s hatred had been systematically cultivated.
The National Rally rejected any link to the attacker, with one of its lawmakers accusing Macron’s government of responsibility for rising hatred in France. Anti-racism demonstrations have since been held in Trappes, Paris and other French cities.
