France’s prosecutors seek detention over shooting that killed one
France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor says Kevin T. is due before investigating judges on October 29 after a shooting killed one person and wounded five near Paris. Prosecutors are requesting pre-trial detention, which requires a separate judge’s decision.
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France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor Olivier Christen said on October 29 that prosecutors were requesting pre-trial detention for Kevin T., the 39-year-old suspect in a shooting that killed one person and wounded five outside Paris. Christen said the suspect would appear before investigating judges that day.
AFP said, citing a source close to the case, that Kevin T. had been referred to judicial authorities shortly after midnight, when his police custody ended, with a view to formally placing him under investigation. Neither formal placement under investigation nor a judicial detention order has been confirmed.
The shooting and the disputed motive
The shooting took place on October 23 in Trappes and neighbouring La Verrière. The man killed was Pengo Bossio Wangi, 26.
AFP said Kevin T. was arrested shortly after the shootings with a submachine gun and tear-gas grenades in his car. It said he had admitted targeting people who were Muslim or of African or North African origin.
Christen said on October 26 that Kevin T. acknowledged the acts but denied their racist character. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office continues to treat racism as an aggravating circumstance in the investigation. Investigators are still examining the circumstances, motive and criminal responsibility.
President Emmanuel Macron called the shooting a “racist terrorist attack”.
Questioning resumed after a psychiatric assessment
Police custody was interrupted on October 25 after a psychiatric examination. It resumed on the afternoon of October 26 after a further assessment found Kevin T.’s health compatible with continued questioning.
AFP said, citing a source close to the investigation, that he was receiving treatment for schizophrenia.
Who decides whether he is detained?
Under French procedure, an investigating judge conducts the judicial investigation and decides whether to formally place a suspect under investigation. After questioning that person, the investigating judge can refer a detention request to a separate judge of liberties and detention. That second judge—not the prosecutor or investigating judge—decides whether to order pre-trial detention.
The detention judge hears the prosecutor, the person under investigation and their lawyer; legal representation is compulsory. Detention requires reasons explaining why supervision or electronic monitoring would not sufficiently meet the applicable legal objectives, such as protecting evidence or preventing pressure on witnesses.
If detention is ordered, Kevin T. would go to prison immediately and could appeal within 10 days of notification. If the judge refuses detention, the alternatives include release under judicial supervision or electronically monitored house arrest. His announced October 29 appearance is the next step toward those decisions.
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