Suspect in Trappes Racist Attack Confirms Motivations: ‘I Acted for France’

Update

Suspect in Trappes Attack Admits Targeting Based on Ethnicity and Religion: 'For France'

During a four-day detention at the Sub-directorate for Anti-Terrorism (Sdat), Kévin Tessier, the 39-year-old suspect in the October 23 racist attack in Trappes and La Verrière, provided further details on his ideological motivations. He stated that he chose his victims based on their ethnicity or religion, explaining to investigators: 'Bah because France is colonized by Islamists and Africans of all kinds.' Tessier, who describes himself as having always been right-wing, rejected the label of terrorist, asserting that his actions were intended to 'liberate his country' and serve as an example for French citizens. He claimed to act 'for France,' blaming recent riots and looting on October 17 on foreigners 'destroying France,' while also citing the jihadist attacks of November 13, 2015, and September 11, 2001, as influences. ^[2]

The investigation has also uncovered that the suspect had compiled a list of left-wing public figures. On a table at his home, investigators found a post-it note bearing the names and phone numbers of Ecologists' deputies Aymeric Caron and Sandrine Rousseau, insoumis deputy David Guiraud, and anti-racism activist Assa Traoré. When questioned, Tessier admitted he had collected these coordinates from a website hosting leaked data because 'it was about leftists' and 'enemies of France.' However, the National Antiterrorist Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) clarified that Tessier denied having any specific project against them. 'No, no, no, I just took the numbers but I had no current project,' he told investigators. The prosecutor emphasized that 'no element of the procedure supports the existence of a project of violent action' against these individuals. ^[8]

The political implications of the discovered list have sparked reactions. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of La France insoumise, expressed alarm at the existence of the list on social media platform X, noting that he had never been informed by investigators during previous arrests or trials involving threats against him. Marine Tondelier, director of the Ecologists party, also voiced concern. Lawyers for Tessier, Baptiste Bellet and Eliott Amzallag, declined to comment on the statements. The attack on October 23, involving an assault rifle from inside a vehicle, resulted in the death of 26-year-old MMA prospect Pengo Bossio Wangi and left seven others injured, including an 11-year-old girl in critical condition. Wangi's funeral took place in Guyancourt, attended by hundreds, while the Élysée Palace announced plans for a national tribute. ^[8]

Further details from Tessier's testimony reveal his perception of French security policy as a 'total fiasco.' When questioned about his past associations, he claimed to have 'infiltrated the leftists at a certain time' and mocked their activities. He reiterated his belief that he was on the 'right side' and that his acts were motivated by a perceived need to protect France from external and internal threats, referencing both the October 17 unrest and historical terrorist attacks. Despite these admissions of racist motivation and his own characterization of his actions as patriotic, he firmly opposed the classification of his crimes as terrorism. ^[8]

Investigators confirmed that the phone numbers on the post-it existed in 'open sources' and could have been attached to individuals with similar names, further supporting the conclusion that no active threat against the listed politicians existed. The discovery of the list comes alongside other items found at Tessier's residence, including stickers promoting the National Rally (RN) with slogans like 'Long live France, RN proud to be French' and 'Support for the forces of law and order.' These findings, combined with his testimonies, have led to his placement under formal investigation and pretrial detention on charges of murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise, with the aggravating circumstance of racism. ^[8]

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During his detention, Tessier maintained that his actions were driven by a desire to liberate France, stating: 'I act for France.' He explained that he had noted the numbers of the left-wing figures 'because they are leftists. Enemies of France,' but insisted that he had not yet planned anything specific. 'I told myself that it could maybe serve one day,' he said, clarifying that he had 'just retrieved the number, that's it.' The PNAT stressed that no procedural elements indicated a planned violent action against these individuals. ^[7]

The discovery of National Rally (RN) stickers at Tessier's home, including those reading 'Long live France, RN proud to be French' and 'Support for law enforcement,' aligns with his self-identification as a right-wing supporter, yet his primary stated motive for the attack remained a racist ideology targeting specific ethnic and religious groups. During his police custody, he also revealed that he had attempted suicide while in detention. The investigation continues as authorities examine the full scope of his preparatory actions and potential networks. ^[3]