Suspect in Trappes and La Verrière shooting placed under psychiatric observation

The man suspected of a deadly gun attack near Paris has left police custody and been placed under psychiatric observation, French anti-terrorism officials said. The National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor's Office, known as PNAT, said the move followed guidance from a psychiatric expert.

According to the BBC, the suspect is 39 years old and is named in French media as Kevin T. PNAT said he will be observed to evaluate whether his "psychiatric health is compatible with pursuing his interrogation." The evaluation will also determine whether he should remain in police custody, and it is likely to last 48 hours. RFI reported that he underwent a psychiatric examination on Saturday evening.

The attack took place on Friday. An attacker opened fire from his car first in Trappes and then in nearby La Verrière, killing one person and wounding five others. The person killed was 26-year-old French-Congolese martial artist Pengo Bossio Wangi. Reuters reported that a 12-year-old was among the wounded. The suspect is thought to have used an old semi-automatic weapon, firing in bursts from his car window.

President Emmanuel Macron called the shooting a "racist terrorist attack" targeting people over skin colour or religion. Macron also said the shooting marks a turning point for France.

PNAT said the suspect was found to have cannabis and cocaine in his bloodstream. Le Monde and AFP, citing a source close to the investigation, reported that a Bible, a Quran and a copy of Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf were found at the suspect's home. PNAT had previously said the suspect had four earlier convictions that were automatically expunged, meaning they were erased from his record.