Trappes shooting: Suspect moved to psychiatric unit
Anti-terrorism prosecutors have suspended his police custody "for psychiatric reasons". Friday's attack killed a 26-year-old man and left a girl critically injured.
Symbolic image · Photo: ℍenry Salomé / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
Following the shooting in Trappes and La Verrière near Paris, the suspect's police custody has been suspended. France's National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) said on Sunday this was "for psychiatric reasons". The 39-year-old was moved to the psychiatric unit of the Paris police prefecture for observation of up to 48 hours. The aim is to assess whether his condition allows further questioning.
Toxicology tests found cannabis and cocaine in his blood, investigators said. Four people from his family and social circle are being questioned. According to Le Monde, he told police he had wanted to target immigrants to "avenge" shopkeepers whose premises were looted on 17 October.
In the attack at around 10:30 a.m. on Friday, the man allegedly opened fire on passers-by from a car. A 26-year-old man was killed and five people were injured, including a 12-year-old girl in critical condition. President Emmanuel Macron called the shooting a "racist terrorist attack". On Saturday, hundreds gathered at the scene and held a minute's silence.