Paris suburb shooting suspect targeted people of Muslim or African appearance, prosecutor says

The man suspected of a deadly shooting near Paris last week has admitted targeting people of "Muslim, African or North African" appearance, French prosecutors said on Thursday, as he was charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise.

Pengo Bossio Wangi, a 26-year-old French-Congolese martial artist, was killed in the attack last Friday, when the gunman opened fire in the Paris suburbs. Seven other people were wounded, including a child. Three of the injured remain in hospital, one in critical condition, the terrorism prosecutor said.

President Emmanuel Macron described the shooting as a "racist terrorist attack." Anti-racism demonstrations were held across France in the days that followed.

The suspect, named in French media as 39-year-old Kevin T, is said to have chosen the towns of Trappes and nearby La Verrière for the attack. He has denied any "terrorist intent," insisting to investigators that his actions were "legitimate," and told them he was not a member or supporter of any political party.

Police searching his home found "weapons or weapon components," as well as books including a Quran, according to prosecutors. The suspect also told investigators he had designed stickers bearing slogans of his own making.

The case has sharpened France's debate over racist violence, with the country's presidential election six months away.

Source: BBC News (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmd7qjq13prpo)