Trappes gunman targeted Muslims, carried far-right emblems

Paris, Oct 29 (EFE).- The gunman who opened fire in the French towns of Trappes and La Verrière admitted targeting people he perceived as Muslim or of African or North African origin, anti-terrorism prosecutor, Olivier Christen, said Thursday.

Stickers bearing emblems of Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) party were found at his home, the prosecutor said.

At a news conference, Christen said several elements indicated that the suspect, identified as Kévin T., had prepared the attack over the preceding days.

During six interrogations since his arrest on Friday, the suspect confessed to the shootings, which left one person dead and seven injured, but denied having a terrorist motive, claiming his actions were legitimate.

At the end of his police custody, the suspect was brought before an investigating judge on Thursday for formal charges and a decision on his pretrial detention.

Prosecutors are pursuing charges of murder and attempted murder with a terrorist motive and the aggravating circumstance of racism, Christen said.

The suspect fired up to 128 shots in Trappes and La Verrière, about 30 km southwest of Paris, Christen said.

«He admitted to specifically targeting people of ‘Muslim or African, North African type’ and chose the location of his action because ‘Trappes is a haven for Islamists’,» the prosecutor said, recounting the suspect’s statements. Kévin T. nevertheless denied any terrorist intent, arguing that he considered his actions legitimate.

He also denied intending to shoot children.

However, he acknowledged that the height of an 11-year-old girl, who was hit by as many as eight shots, may have caused him to mistake her for someone else.

He said he did not regret the shooting, Christen added.

Investigators found weapons and military-style items at the suspect’s home, including a magazine, brass knuckles, a steel bayonet and a silencer.

They also found copies of the Quran, the Bible and Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf.

Among the other items recovered were stickers the suspect had made himself, some bearing the RN emblem and slogans such as «Long live France,» «Proud to be French,» «100% French» and «Support for law enforcement.»

During questioning, the suspect denied being a member or supporter of any political party.

He said he had taken part in anti-capitalist demonstrations, explaining that he had once wanted to infiltrate left-wing groups.

Christen said evidence of the attack’s preparation included the suspect’s purchase, on Sep. 3 and in the days that followed, of several items intended to «reinforce the tactical effectiveness of the submachine gun» he used.

He also acquired a police armband and handcuffs.

In the days before the shooting, the suspect repaid family debts. On the eve of the attack, he deleted his social media accounts, sold his laptop and concealed his mobile phone.

Investigators did not recover the computer equipment and phone until Sunday, and the devices had yet to be analyzed, the prosecutor said.

Regarding the suspect’s health, Christen said Kévin T. had reported psychiatric problems for which he was receiving treatment.

He had also been using narcotics since the age of 13. Toxicological tests following his arrest detected traces of narcotics as well as anti-psychotic medication prescribed by doctors.

Of the seven injured, four were seriously wounded and three remained hospitalized as of Thursday. One of those hospitalized had a life-threatening prognosis, Christen said. EFE

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