The Shooting by a Disturbed Individual in the Heart of Paris Leaves Three Dead, Shocking the Kurdish Community and the French People During the Christmas Season

The incident occurred on Friday, December 22, in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, on Rue d’Enghien, shortly before noon. This deadly shooting was carried out by a disturbed individual already known for racist acts, including a previous sword attack. The alleged perpetrator is a 69-year-old man who had been released from prison just 11 days prior. During police custody, he reportedly confirmed harboring deep-seated racist views. The three victims, a woman and two men, were of Kurdish origin.

The Killer’s Profile

William M., a 69-year-old retired train driver, is the suspect. According to his father, interviewed by M6, his son was described as “crazy,” “mad,” and even “reserved.” It is believed that he likely planned this attack alone, making it a deliberate act motivated by “strictly racist” intentions, as hinted by his father. These details will contribute to the investigation as the authorities reconstruct the events.

The Suspect Was Known to Police

Arrested in possession of a Colt .45 handgun and three magazines containing 14 rounds of ammunition, William M. was already known to law enforcement. This was not his first offense. Thanks to the intervention of several individuals, he was subdued and subsequently arrested by the police. Indicted in 2021 for armed violence with premeditation and a racist character, he is suspected of having deliberately attacked a migrant camp, injuring two people in the process. After serving a year in pre-trial detention, he was released, as stipulated by French law, on December 12, 2022, under judicial supervision, according to the Paris prosecutor.

These are not his only legal troubles. In 2017, he was sentenced to six months of suspended prison time for illegal possession of weapons. In 2022, he received a 12-month prison sentence for acts dating back to 2016 involving violence against burglars. The individual has appealed this decision.

Why Was the Suspect’s Detention Lifted?

The Paris prosecutor’s office has confirmed that the “racist motive was indeed added to the charges” related to the Rue d’Enghien incident. The investigation focuses on charges of murder, attempted murder, armed violence, and violations of weapons laws. While in police custody, the suspect was evaluated by a doctor who “declared that the suspect’s health condition was incompatible with detention.” Consequently, the Paris prosecutor’s office announced that the custody measure was lifted.

The individual was transferred to the psychiatric hospital of the police prefecture. His custody was lifted pending his presentation to an investigating judge, as stated by the prosecutor.

A new update from the prosecutor’s office is expected this Sunday.

Will the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office Take Over?

While some political figures have spoken out, such as Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who described the incident as a “terrorist act,” and EELV deputy Julien Bayou, who referred to the shooting as an “attack,” the investigation will ultimately determine the nature of the incident. If deemed appropriate, the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office will be involved.