French president condemns deadly drive-by shooting near Paris as racist terrorism

A gunman firing from a car has killed one person and wounded five others in suburbs southwest of Paris, according to reports by the Guardian, South China Morning Post, Euronews, and the BBC. The attacks unfolded over roughly 15 minutes in Trappes and nearby La Verrière. French President Emmanuel Macron and Interior Minister Laurent Nunez visited the scene and described the incident as a racist terrorist attack. [1][2][3][4][7][8][9]

Authorities suspect the attacker targeted people of foreign or migrant origin, Euronews and the BBC reported. The wounded victims include a 12-year-old girl who was shot eight times. Euronews reported that one victim of North African origin remains in critical condition. The BBC added that the suspected gunman was subsequently arrested by police after firing at random. [1][2][3][4]

President Macron declared the shooting a turning point for the nation, marking the first time France has seen a random racial killing of this nature, according to the BBC and LBC. Macron said he was deeply saddened by the premeditated attack and condemned racism across French society, the Guardian reported. [1][4][7]