The suspect in a racist attack near Paris was under the influence of drugs.

A man suspected of carrying out a deadly, racially motivated shooting spree in western suburbs of Paris was under the influence of cannabis and cocaine at the time of the attacks, French authorities confirmed on Sunday. The 39-year-old suspect, identified in French media as Kevin T., allegedly opened fire from a moving vehicle on Friday morning, killing one person and injuring five others, including a 12-year-old girl. The Paris anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office stated that traces of both drugs were found in the suspect’s blood following his arrest. The violence unfolded over approximately 15 minutes across the towns of Trappes and La Verrière, located roughly 30 kilometers southwest of Paris. According to investigators, the shooter used an automatic weapon to target individuals perceived to be of African or North African descent, as well as Muslims. One victim, a 26-year-old man described as being of African origin, died from his injuries. Five others were wounded, three of them seriously. Among the critically injured was a 12-year-old girl in La Verrière, who sustained eight gunshot wounds. Her condition was later reported as stable. Other victims included two cleaning workers described by local officials as having an "African appearance." President Emmanuel Macron condemned the incident during a visit to Trappes, labeling it a "racist terrorist attack." He described the event as a turning point for the French republic and nation, stating that people had been targeted based on their skin color or religion. Macron urged citizens not to yield to ideologies he described as taking root in society. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez characterized the act as "clearly a terrorist crime." The mayor of Trappes, Ali Rabeh, told broadcasters that the attack appeared to have a racist and likely Islamophobic motivation. He noted that the shooter fired indiscriminately, aiming to create a "bath of blood," and expressed surprise that more people were not killed given the numerous shots fired in various neighborhoods. The suspect was apprehended shortly after the shootings in the nearby town of Coignières. At the time of his arrest, he was in possession of the semi-automatic firearm, tear gas grenades, and a white powder believed to be cocaine. Authorities discovered a trap device prepared at his residence, which was reportedly designed to explode upon the arrival of law enforcement officers. A search of his home also revealed three gas canisters. The anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office announced that the investigation focuses on murder linked to a terrorist enterprise, possession of Category A weapons, and participation in a criminal terrorist association. The legal basis for the charges includes the suspicion that targets were selected due to their actual or supposed belonging to a specific race, ethnicity, nation, or religion. Following an initial psychiatric assessment, the suspect was transferred from standard police detention to the psychiatric department of the Paris Police Prefecture. Medical professionals will evaluate whether his mental health permits investigators to continue questioning him. Local media outlets, citing investigators, reported that the suspect told police he was receiving treatment for schizophrenia. Although the suspect had four previous convictions for common crimes, these records had been automatically expunged. While he was known to police, he was not listed among individuals considered a serious threat to national security by intelligence services, nor was he tracked by France’s intelligence agencies. Relatives and friends of the suspect were also detained immediately following the attack. The anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office confirmed that members of his immediate family circle remained in police custody. The timing of the shooting coincided with a period of heightened social tension in France. The country was preparing for another day of protests involving trade unions and Yellow Vest demonstrators, which had previously led to significant disturbances. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reacted swiftly via social media, promising the mobilization of all state resources. He expressed deep emotion and solidarity with the victims and their families, stating that the nation stood with them in the face of this terrible trial. Investigations continue into the precise motives and connections of the suspect. The presence of drug substances in his system adds a layer of complexity to the psychological evaluation currently underway. Authorities have emphasized that the classification of the event as a terrorist act is based on the objective nature of the targeting, regardless of the suspect’s individual mental state. The discovery of the explosive trap at his home suggests a level of planning beyond a spontaneous act of violence. As medical teams monitor the survivors, particularly the young girl, police maintain a heavy presence in the affected areas to ensure public safety amid ongoing regional unrest. The case remains open, with prosecutors gathering evidence to determine the full extent of the conspiracy and the role of the additional detainees.