The arrest of the suspect who carried out the bloody shooting in the suburbs of Paris has been extended

The French Anti-Terrorism Prosecution Office announced on Saturday that it had extended the detention of a man suspected of opening fire in the suburbs of Paris on Friday with racist motives. As a result, one person was killed and 5 others were injured.

The 39-year-old man, identified by the prosecution as Kevin T, was arrested on Friday, carrying a machine gun and tear gas canisters, after shooting people from a car in the cities of Trappes and La Ferrières on the outskirts of the French capital.

The Anti-Terrorism Public Prosecution, which is investigating the case, reported that the suspect’s detention period had been extended after subjecting him to preliminary interrogation.

She pointed out that three of his family members and friends were arrested late on Friday evening.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that the shooting was a “racist terrorist attack” given that most of the victims were of immigrant origins.

The mayor of Trabé, Ali Rabah, stated that the shooting was “a racist attack, and may have been motivated by anti-Islam,” adding that “it may be one of the first attempts at mass murder with anti-Islam and racist motives” in France.

The attack resulted in the death of a 26-year-old man of African descent, and the injury of five others, including a 12-year-old girl who received 8 bullets, and her condition was described as critical.

Hundreds of people gathered on Saturday at the place where the young man, Bingo Busiu Wangi, was killed, raising banners demanding “justice.”

“Anyone could have been targeted,” a shop owner said. “He shot blacks and Arabs, and he knew that the majority of Trappes’ residents were Muslims.”

The shooting occurred at a time when France is witnessing sharp divisions, six months before the presidential elections, in which far-right candidate Marine Le Pen is topping the opinion polls.

Some demonstrators held the far-right National Rally party, led by Le Pen, responsible for establishing a climate of hatred.

Representative Mathilde Bannot from the radical left-wing France Proud party said during the rally near the shooting site: “Racism kills.” The extreme right kills.

For her part, Le Pen called for a “relentless” investigation, considering that the racist motive, if confirmed, would be “disgraceful.”