The attacks occurred in the towns of Trappes and La Verriere, where the gunman fired at a children's playground, a fuel station and a medical centre, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez. Three of the victims, including the 12-year-old, suffered life-threatening injuries. Nunez said the attack lasted less than 15 minutes and the weapon appeared to be military-grade or automatic.
Trappes Mayor Ali Rabeh said the gunman appeared to be firing at random and seemed intent on carrying out a massacre. He described it as a terrorist attack with racist, likely Islamophobic, overtones, and noted that two of the victims were of African and North African origins.
President Emmanuel Macron said national antiterrorism prosecutors had taken over the case. 'Our thoughts go out to the victims, their families, and all the residents of Yvelines. In this terrible ordeal, the Nation stands by their side,' he wrote on X.
Separately, security has been tightened ahead of protests expected across France this weekend. Many demonstrations have been banned following burning and looting last weekend. Nunez said 70,000 officers would be deployed nationwide on Saturday, along with helicopters, armoured vehicles and water cannon, with elite units securing public buildings.
Last week's protests saw fires, looting and clashes with police in France's most violent unrest in years. Far-right politicians have criticised the government for not cracking down hard enough, while left-wing groups say security measures violate rights. Demonstrators plan to march on Saturday over the high cost of living, with students, the Confederation of Labour union and 'yellow vest' activists expected to join.