French Shooting Suspect Admits Targeting Muslims and Africans

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The suspect in last week's mass shooting near Paris has admitted that he targeted people perceived to be Muslim or of African descent.

According to the BBC on the 29th (local time), France's National Antiterrorism Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) announced that it has indicted 39-year-old Kevin T. on terrorism-related charges of murder and attempted murder following the shooting spree in the western Paris suburbs of Trappes and La Verrière.

On the 23rd, the suspect drove around the two cities and opened fire at pedestrians for about 15 minutes.

The incident resulted in the death of 26-year-old martial artist Pengo Bosio Wangki, who held dual French and Congolese citizenship.

Seven others, including a child, were injured.

Three of the injured are still receiving treatment in the hospital, and one of them remains in critical condition.

During the investigation, the suspect admitted that he targeted individuals who appeared to be Muslim, of African descent, or of North African descent.

Anti-terrorism Prosecutor Olivier Christen explained that the suspect chose Trappes and La Verrière as the locations for his crime because he considered them to be hotbeds of Islamism.

However, the suspect denied having terrorist intentions, claimed his actions were "justified," and stated that he has "no regrets."

Police discovered weapons or weapon parts, the Islamic holy book the Quran, the Bible, and Adolf Hitler's book Mein Kampf at the suspect's home.

Stickers bearing phrases praising the far-right National Rally (RN) party were also found.

While the suspect stated that he personally made stickers bearing slogans such as "Long live France, long live the National Rally, I am proud to be French," he claimed that he was not a member or supporter of any specific political party.

President Emmanuel Macron defined the incident as a "racist terrorist attack."

On the 28th, he criticized the far-right, including the National Rally, for contributing to the rooting of a racist atmosphere in French society.

In response, Jean-Philippe Tanguy, a lawmaker from the National Rally, countered that President Macron rather neglected the spread of hateful ideology, sparking a debate over responsibility.

(Photo: Getty Images)

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