Trappes shooting suspect moved to psychiatric care; tests find cannabis and cocaine

Shooting in Trappes and La Verrière

On Friday, 23 October 2026, a man opened fire from his car in Trappes and La Verrière, two towns in the Yvelines west of Paris. Reports give the start of the attack as around 10:00 (RTBF) or 10:30 (BFMTV). Firing bursts from an automatic weapon at people on the street, he killed a 26-year-old man of African descent. Five people were wounded according to Le Monde, RTBF and ZEIT, while BFMTV counts four. Among the wounded is a 12-year-old girl hit by eight bullets, who the Pnat said on Saturday was still in absolute emergency.

Arrest and background of the suspect

The suspect, a 39-year-old man, was arrested shortly afterwards in Coignières, another Yvelines town, by officers of the Brigade anti-criminalité. BFMTV reports that he is not on the French S file, but that the Pnat describes him as known to police and justice after four earlier convictions for ordinary offences. He was born in Saint-Cyr-l'Ecole and lived in Plaisir, a town next to Trappes. Officers found a Sten submachine gun and a tear gas canister in his car, and the family's lawyer said the suspect apparently possessed war weapons.

Investigation, booby trap and alleged motive

The Pnat opened an investigation for murder and attempted murder linked to a terrorist enterprise, with the aggravating circumstance that the acts were committed because of the victims' real or supposed race, ethnicity, nation or religion. In his flat in Plaisir, officers found three gas cylinders wired to electrical cables and a timer, and specialists were called in to secure the rooms. Investigators also reported finding a copy of Hitler's Mein Kampf, a Koran and a Bible, and they are checking whether he had contacts with far-right circles. Le Monde reports that he told the first investigators he wanted to avenge shopkeepers looted during the 17 October protests in France, and that he chose Black people and Arabs as targets. Investigators are now examining his electronic devices, and Le Monde says he appears to have acted alone.

Custody lifted and toxicology

On Saturday, after a first hearing, his police custody was extended. The Pnat explained the decision in these words:

his state of health was judged compatible with this measure

Blood tests showed cannabis and cocaine in his blood, the Pnat said. On Sunday morning the custody was lifted after a psychiatric examination, and he was transferred to psychiatric care. Four people from his family and circle have been placed in custody. An AFP source close to the case said his parents are among them, although the prosecutors had not confirmed it.

Reaction and open questions

Emmanuel Macron described the attack as a racist terrorist attack on Friday and later visited Trappes. On Saturday hundreds of people gathered in the town to remember the 26-year-old victim. The family's lawyer said it must be established whether the authorities failed, since the suspect was known to police and justice and apparently had war weapons. That question sits alongside the open inquiry into the suspect's possible contacts with the far-right scene and his electronic devices.