French prosecutor seeks pretrial detention for suspect in shooting near Paris

PARIS (AP) — France’s national counterterrorism prosecutor asked Thursday that a 39-year-old suspect be held in pretrial detention over a shooting in the Paris suburbs that killed one person and wounded seven others, saying he targeted people he believed to be Muslim or from Africa.

The suspect, a 39-year-old French national identified by authorities as Kevin T., was arrested less than 20 minutes after the shooting began Friday in Trappes and neighboring La Verrière, a suburban area west of Paris. His last name has not been made public.

An 11-year-old girl was among the injured when a gunman fired from his vehicle at several locations along a 12-kilometer (7.5-mile) route.

The suspect “now acknowledged that the acts were premeditated,” national counterterrorism prosecutor Olivier Christen said. The suspect admitted to “specifically targeting” people he believed to be Muslim or from sub-Saharan Africa or North Africa based on their appearance, Christen said.

Christen added that the suspect said he chose the suburb of Trappes because it is “a haven for Islamists.”

He denied any terrorist intent and said “he had no regrets,” Christen added.

A judicial investigation has been opened into murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise, with the aggravating circumstance that the crimes were committed because of the victims’ actual or perceived race, ethnicity, nationality or religion.

Authorities identified the man killed as Pengo Bossio Wangi, a 26-year-old Black French national. Four other people were seriously wounded, including one who remained Thursday in life-threatening condition. Three others suffered lighter injuries. Authorities have not disclosed details about the identities of those injured.

Christen said the suspect has a history of psychological and psychiatric problems and of drug addiction. Toxicology tests revealed the presence of cannabis and cocaine in his blood, as well as drugs prescribed by a doctor.

A search of his car uncovered a Sten-type submachine gun and investigators found his apartment had been booby-trapped with three gas cylinders and electrical wires connected to a timer.

Investigations have shown he bought several firearm parts last month, Christen said. Two days before the shooting, he deleted all his social media accounts, sold his laptop computer and concealed his phone, but police managed to find it.

Investigators also found Adolf Hitler’s manifesto “Mein Kampf” as well as stickers stored in a drawer with inscriptions including “Long live France,” “Proud to be French,” and “RN,” the French acronym for far-right party National Rally.

The suspect told investigators he had himself designed and ordered the stickers. The suspect said he was neither a member nor a supporter of any political party, Christen said.