At least three people died, and three others were wounded after a gunman opened fire at a Kurdish culture center on December 23, in what officials said appeared to be a racially-motivated attack on foreigners.
The suspect, a 69-year-old former train driver, was arrested. Details emerged that in December 2021, he had been arrested and charged with a racist, armed assault on migrants living near Bercy, in the neighborhood of the 12th arrondissement in Paris. The suspect had been placed under pretrial detention and was released earlier this month after reaching one year limit of time served.
The gunman was described by police as “Caucasian,” of French nationality and was known for two previous attempted murders in 2016 and 2021.
The attack ignited a protest in the neighborhood that led to a clash with the police. Riot police were forced to fire tear gas to disperse dozens of angry protestors who lit and threw trash can projectiles at the officers. In the coming days, authorities will have to answer why the suspect was out on parole.
French President Emmanuel Macron denounced the heinous attack. He tweeted, “Kurds of France have been a target at the heart of Paris. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and loved ones.”
The Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, chose his word cautiously as he visited the attack site. “There is little doubt the suspect was targeting foreigners. We need to know from the judicial inquiry whether the attacker specifically targeted the Kurds, for now, there’s no evidence that shows that,” he said.
He said the suspect was a member of a shooting sports club and had several registered weapons.
However, Mathilde Panot, the head in Parliament of the leftist France Unbowed political party, accused the far-right of a “racist attack.”
An eyewitness, Mehmet Dilek, told reporters that he heard the first gunshot followed by cries from a barber shop opposite the culture center. Bystanders were able to subdue the gunman as he reloaded his gun.
Dilek said that as Kurds, they were used to bombs and arms threats, and this was a way of life for them.
The Kurds are a Muslim (non-Arab) ethnic group that has experienced persecution and violence and has spread across several countries in the Middle East, including Syria, Iraq and Iran, as well as countries in Europe.
Another witness, a shopkeeper, said she heard seven or eight gunshots in Rue d’Enghien in the 10th district of Paris, “it was total panic. We locked ourselves inside.”
The district mayor, Alexandra Cordebard, said the shootings were a “terrible drama.” One of the wounded was facing life-threatening injuries, she added.
After the attack, Kurdish leaders called for protection for their community.
“Kurds, wherever they are, should be able to live in peace and security,” Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo posted on Twitter. “Now more than ever, Paris should be on their side in these dark times.”
An investigation into the shooting has been opened, with officers investigating a murder, manslaughter, and aggravated violence.