Politics · France · 5 hrs ago
Macron faces criticism after deadly racist attack in Trappes
A suspected racist attack in Trappes left one person dead and five injured on Friday.
The suspect, a 39-year-old French man, allegedly targeted people of African and North African origin; the dead man was a 26-year-old martial artist.
France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor called the attack racially motivated terrorism.
On Saturday, President Emmanuel Macron said it was the first terrorist attack aimed at killing people because of their skin colour or religion.
His comment drew criticism because France has also seen attacks in recent years that killed Jews and Christians for their religion.
Macron later said those victims must not be forgotten, and his office said he had meant the first racist attack targeting people because of their skin colour.
A gunman killed one person and wounded five in a suspected racist attack in Trappes, France.
The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office described the attack as racially motivated terrorism.
President Emmanuel Macron drew criticism after saying it was the first terror attack targeting people because of their skin colour or religion.
Macron later acknowledged past attacks against Christians and Jews, saying none of the victims should be forgotten.
The suspected gunman was reported to have set up a gas-cylinder explosive trap in his home.
- Who
- A suspected gunman, identified as Kevin T., 39, was reported to have carried out the attack. One person was killed and five were injured.
- What
- A suspected racist attack left one person dead and five injured. Macron faced criticism over his remarks about the attack.
- When
- Friday. Macron visited Trappes on Saturday.
- Where
- Trappes, a town southwest of Paris, France.
- Why
- The anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office said the attack was racially motivated. The article says the gunman targeted people of African and Maghrebi origin.
Critics of Macron's remarks
Macron and the Élysée Palace
Historical context
Critics of Macron's remarks
Critics said Macron was wrong to call the attack the first terror act targeting people because of their skin colour or religion, noting previous attacks on Jews and Christians.
Macron and the Élysée Palace
Macron later said France had suffered attacks against Christians and Jews because of their religion, and that none of the victims should be forgotten.
Meaning of “first
Critics of Macron's remarks
Critics objected to the apparent implication that no earlier victims had been targeted because of religion.
Macron and the Élysée Palace
The Élysée said Macron meant the first racist attack targeting people because of skin colour and that he did not forget antisemitic attacks.
A gunman opened fire in Trappes, killing one person and injuring five.
Macron visited Trappes and described the attack as a turning point for France.
After criticism, Macron posted on X that victims of attacks against Christians and Jews must not be forgotten.
- Location
- Trappes, southwest of Paris
- Casualties
- One dead and five injured
- Person killed
- Pengo Bossio Wangi, 26
- Suspected gunman
- Kevin T., 39
- Explosive device
- Gas-cylinder trap reportedly found in the suspect’s home
What people are saying
It is the first time that a terrorist act has aimed to kill our compatriots, our children, because of their skin colour or their religion.
I want to recall a fundamental truth – without entering into polemics: our country has experienced attacks in recent years that targeted Christians because they were Christians, and Jews because they were Jews. None of these victims must be forgotten. No suffering must be ranked.