Anti-racism protests have taken place across France following the fatal shooting of Pengo Bosio Wangi in Trappes, outside Paris, last Friday.
The 26-year-old was killed by a French citizen identified as Kevin T., who allegedly fired 128 shots during a 12-kilometre drive, targeting people of African origin. An 11-year-old girl and six other people were also seriously injured.
The suspect was initially placed under psychiatric supervision. Since Monday afternoon, however, he has been questioned by a prosecutor from France’s national anti-terrorism unit. According to the prosecutor, Kevin T. denies having racist motives.
Tributes to the victim
In Trappes, the victim’s family is mourning his death while receiving condolences from relatives and friends. The town’s mayor said French society as a whole had “laid down its arms” in the face of racism.
On Friday evening, President Emmanuel Macron described the killing as “a turning point in the life of our nation”.
The following day, Saturday, 24 October, several hundred people gathered in Trappes to pay tribute to Wangi.
A silent march was also held on Sunday in Aubervilliers, in the Seine-Saint-Denis department, where Wangi had been learning martial arts. Fellow students reportedly vowed to pursue racists wherever they were found.
Demonstrators condemn normalisation of racist hatred
Further anti-racism protests took place across France on Monday, with demonstrators condemning what they described as the “normalisation of racist hatred”.
In Paris, human rights organisations organised two rallies, joined by trade unions and political groups.
French media reports said some gatherings also raised the prospect of forming “self-defence committees” and “anti-fascist resistance committees” as part of what participants described as a radical mass movement rooted in working-class neighbourhoods.
Demonstrators also criticised far-right parties, public figures and media outlets, accusing them of regularly fostering hostility towards French Muslims.
The protests come amid renewed debate in France over racism, far-right rhetoric and the protection of minority communities following the killing.
🔴 Après deux sommations, les CRS repoussent les manifestants sur le trottoir, boulevard Magenta, à Paris. Les personnes rassemblées occupaient un peu plus tôt la chaussée et entonnaient des slogans en hommage aux victimes de l’attentat terroriste de Trappes. #France #Pengo https://t.co/u3CcnWnIyg
— Simon Marseille (@S_Marseil) October 26, 2026
La préfecture de Paris interdit la manifestation prévue en hommage aux victimes de #Trappes place de la République. Alors la foule qui s’en moque des préfets, des ministres et des présidents se rend devant la Bourse du Travail, juste à côté 🎥@S_Marseil https://t.co/erPuiXOR0Q
— 🔴 Encore fallait-il que je le susse 🔴 (@AmarilloLeones) October 26, 2026
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