Politics · France · 6 hrs ago
Pengo Bossio Wangi’s funeral held after racist attack near Paris
Pengo Bossio Wangi was killed in a racist shooting in Trappes, a town southwest of Paris, on October 23.
He was 26, and people gathered at a cemetery in nearby Guyancourt on November 7 for his funeral.
The suspect, Kevin Tessier, was placed in pre-trial detention and told police he had targeted people he described as Muslim, African or North African.
The attack also injured several passersby, including a child, though accounts differ on the total number and the child’s age.
Investigators found a copy of *Mein Kampf* and stickers referencing the far-right National Rally party at Tessier’s home.
The killing has renewed concern about racist violence and rhetoric directed at people from minority backgrounds in France.
Trappes mayor Ali Rabeh blamed political and media language that he said helped make minorities targets.
France’s next presidential election is due in 2027, and one account warns of further racist attacks in the run-up to it.
Pengo Bossio Wangi, 26, was killed in a shooting in Trappes on October 23.
The suspect, Kevin Tessier, is accused of targeting people of African or North African descent; accounts differ on the number of people injured.
Trappes mayor Ali Rabeh said anti-minority rhetoric helped create the climate for the attack and criticised far-right politicians and media.
A memorial drew thousands in Trappes on October 30, and Wangi’s funeral was held on November 7.
The attack has raised concern about racist violence and political rhetoric ahead of France’s 2027 presidential election.
- Who
- Pengo Bossio Wangi was killed. The suspect was identified as Kevin Tessier.
- What
- A shooting described as a racist attack killed Wangi and injured others. Sources differ on the number injured.
- When
- October 23, 2026. A memorial was held on October 30 and Wangi’s funeral on November 7.
- Where
- Trappes and nearby La Verrière, southwest of Paris.
- Why
- The suspect said he targeted people he described as Muslim, African or North African. He told police he wanted to avenge looted shopkeepers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Pengo Bossio Wangi was killed in a shooting in Trappes, and other people were injured.
Thousands gathered in Trappes for a tribute to the attack’s victims.
Wangi’s funeral was held in Guyancourt.
- Victim
- Pengo Bossio Wangi, 26
- Suspect
- Kevin Tessier, 39
- Attack date
- October 23, 2026
- Locations
- Trappes and nearby La Verrière
- Funeral
- Guyancourt, November 7, 2026
- Election
- France’s 2027 presidential election
2 sources
What people are saying
The recurring dehumanisation of people perceived as Arab, Black or Muslim, combined with the biased media coverage of the recent demonstrations, plays a direct role in pushing criminals to commit violent acts
hatred did not come from nowhere. It was planted in his mind through the constant repetition of words and narratives that turned these minorities into targets to be eliminated
Muslim, African or North African