Paris shooting suspect admits targeting Muslims and people of African origin

The suspect in the shooting in Trappes and La Verrière, on the outskirts of Paris, has admitted specifically targeting people he perceived to be Muslim or of African or North African origin, anti-terrorism public prosecutor Olivier Christen announced on Thursday.

Known only as Kévin T., the 39-year-old is accused of killing one man and injuring seven other people during the attack, which was carried out both from a car and on foot on 23 October.

“He admitted having specifically targeted people who are of a Muslim or African, North African type,” the prosecutor said at a press conference. The suspect is also said to have explained that he chose Trappes because he regarded it as “a hideout for Islamists”.

The prosecutor stressed what he described as the “very extensive preparation” of the attack.

During questioning, Kévin T. acknowledged premeditation and said he had fired “in bursts”. Investigators established that from September he had bought several items intended to improve the effectiveness of his weapon, a Sten-type submachine gun dating from the Second World War. He had also bought a police armband and handcuffs.

Read more: Euronews