France investigates the shooting on the outskirts of Paris as a terrorist act due to racism

BarcelonaThe French Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office is investigating the shootings in the towns of Trappes and La Verrière, about thirty kilometers southwest of Paris, as a terrorist act linked to racism. According to a statement issued, the agency is investigating events that could have been committed by "reason of belonging, real or supposed, to a particular race, ethnicity, nation or religion" or also for "criminal terrorist association with the aim of preparing crimes against persons".

One person has died as a result of the shootings and five others have been injured. The perpetrator of the events has been arrested, according to local media, citing police sources. The events took place around 10:30 a.m. (8:30 GMT), when the perpetrator of the attacks fired three bursts at people who were on the street, according to the Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez.

The mayor of La Verrière, Nicolas Dainville, explained that three people were injured in his town, including a 12-year-old girl who received eight bullet wounds. "He fired at random and wanted to commit a massacre," said the mayor of Trappes, Ali Rabeh, who detailed that the deceased was of African origin and one of the injured, who is in very serious condition, is North African.

French President Emmanuel Macron considered that the "racist terrorist" attack marks "a turning point for the country," and attributed it to the atmosphere of instability "that certain speeches are creating," without naming any party. "We will not give in to the ideas that are taking root, which justify this type of behavior or that create the atmosphere that can justify them," he stated during a visit to Trappes, the town about 30 kilometers southwest of Paris where the shootings began and where the only death was recorded.