World · Europe · 4 hrs ago
Father of Trappes attack victim calls for national tribute to oppose racism
Bolema Bossio Wangi wants his son’s national tribute to spur action against racism, not serve only as a moment of mourning.
His son, Pengo Bossio Wangi, a 26-year-old Black Frenchman, was shot dead in an attack in Trappes that also wounded seven people.
A suspect has been charged and held in custody; prosecutors say he admitted targeting people he viewed as Muslim, African or North African.
The government has announced a national tribute, to be led by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
Pengo’s parents say they are trusting the justice system, while urging people to confront racism and other forms of hatred.
His father says the attack has made him fear for the future and safety of his Black children in France.
The father of Pengo Bossio Wangi, a 26-year-old man killed in a racist shooting near Paris, called for a national tribute to promote action against racism.
Bolema Bossio Wangi said the tribute should be more than a moment of mourning and should raise awareness of racism and other forms of hatred.
The shooting in Trappes and neighbouring La Verrière killed one person and wounded seven people, including a child.
Prosecutors said suspect Kevin T. admitted targeting people he perceived as Muslim, African or North African.
A national tribute to the victims is expected in the coming days.
- Who
- Bolema Bossio Wangi, father of Pengo Bossio Wangi, made the appeal.
- What
- He called for the national tribute to be an opportunity to raise awareness and commit to fighting racism.
- When
- Monday, November 2, 2026.
- Where
- The appeal was made at a press conference in Paris and addressed to President Emmanuel Macron.
- Why
- He said the tribute should respond to racism and hatred, and help protect the future and safety of Black children.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A gunman opened fire in Trappes and La Verrière, killing Pengo Bossio Wangi and wounding seven people.
The suspect was arrested later that day.
The suspect was charged with murder and attempted murder linked to a terrorist enterprise and placed in pre-trial detention.
Bolema Bossio Wangi called for the national tribute to promote awareness and action against racism.
- Victim
- Pengo Bossio Wangi, 26
- Attack locations
- Trappes and La Verrière, west of Paris
- Casualties
- One person killed and seven wounded, including a child
- Suspect
- Kevin T. (identified by BFM as Kevin Tessier)
- National tribute
- Announced by the government; expected in the coming days
3 sources
Family of man killed in racist attack in France seeks justice
Attentat raciste de Trappes: le père de Pengo Bossio Wangi appelle Emmanuel Macron à ce que l'hommage national soit l'occasion "d'un engagement contre le racisme"
«On ne peut pas s'arrêter de vivre parce que des gens nous détestent» : neuf jours après l'attaque terroriste, la vie et le football continuent à Trappes
What people are saying
un tel hommage ne doit pas être uniquement un moment de recueillement, il doit également être l'occasion d'une véritable prise de conscience et d'un engagement contre le racisme et toutes les formes de haine qui mènent notre société
As the father of Black children, I am afraid for their future, their safety and for the place they will be able to occupy in French society
Si la mort de notre fils doit servir à quelque chose, c'est de sensibiliser sur le racisme qui gangrène la société française depuis des décennies, un racisme alimenté par certains médias et partis politiques
The people we’re talking about here are French, and in the end, they’re being dehumanised. They’re turned into targets, into people who are seen as suspect, as illegitimate