Gunman in Paris suburb kills 1, wounds several in possible terrorist act, wanted “to cause a bloodbath,” officials say

Updated on: October 23, 2026 / 10:40 AM EDT / CBS/AFP

A gunman shooting from his car killed one person and wounded several others in the Paris suburb of Trappes on Friday, authorities said, and prosecutors are investigating the case as a potential terrorist act. Officials say at least two of the victims were from immigrant backgrounds.

The alleged shooter was "firing at random, wanting to cause a bloodbath" as he drove through Trappes and neighbouring La Verriere, Trappes mayor Ali Rabeh told broadcaster BFMTV.

"This is probably one of the first attempted mass killings motivated by Islamophobia and racism," Rabeh told reporters, The Associated Press reported. "This was a terrorist attack with racist, likely Islamophobic, overtones."

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the suspect fired "what appears to have been a military-grade weapon, or at least an automatic weapon." Rabeh called it a "miracle" that there were not more casualties.

Rabeh said that the gunman targeted passerby at three separate locations, including a playground. Forensic investigators were also seen examining evidence at a gas station.

The alleged shooter was arrested in the nearby town of Coignieres. Nuñez said the attack lasted just under 15 minutes and was stopped by five…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/