12-Year-Old Girl Shot Eight Times in French Shooting That Left One Dead as Terror Investigation Opens

A shooting spree in the suburbs west of Paris has left one person dead and at least five others injured, including a 12-year-old girl who was reportedly shot eight times. French authorities have opened a terrorism investigation amid concerns that the victims were targeted because of their race or perceived religion.

The shootings occurred on October 23 in Trappes and neighboring La Verrière. According to officials, a gunman opened fire from a vehicle at several locations over approximately 15 minutes, including near a gas station, a medical center and a children’s playground.

The 12-year-old girl suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital. La Verrière Mayor Nicolas Dainville said she had been shot eight times but was in stable condition. She is expected to require surgery.

At least one person was killed, while several other victims were seriously injured. The man who died was identified in reports as a 26-year-old named Pengo Bossio Wangi, an amateur mixed martial arts fighter. His identity was reported by his martial arts club, although authorities had not publicly confirmed it in the initial reports.

Police arrested a 39-year-old suspect in the nearby town of Coignières less than 20 minutes after the shooting began. French media identified him as Kévin T., with authorities withholding his full surname.

Investigators reportedly recovered a Sten-type submachine gun and other items from his vehicle. A subsequent search of his apartment uncovered what authorities described as a potentially dangerous arrangement involving gas cylinders and wires.

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the incident as a “racist terrorist attack,” saying the victims had been targeted because of their skin color or perceived religion. Local officials also raised concerns about a possible racist or Islamophobic motive.

France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office took over the investigation, which includes suspected murder and attempted murder linked to a terrorist enterprise, with possible racist or religious motivation.

Investigators are continuing to examine the suspect’s motives and the circumstances surrounding the shootings. The allegations remain subject to the ongoing criminal investigation.

Source:  PEOPLE