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Thursday, 12 November 2026dailybeirut.com
Lebanon
Kevin Tessier admitted to targeting victims based on race and religion, revealing a planned attack with Nazi literature and left-wing politician lists.
Investigations into the armed assault that struck Trappes and La Verrière in the Yvelines department last October have uncovered new details regarding the attacker’s motives. Kevin Tessier, 39, confessed to selecting his victims specifically because of their ethnic origins or religious beliefs.
According to details published by Le Monde on November 11, the suspect stated during interrogation on October 27 that he deliberately targeted individuals he believed to be Muslim or of African descent. He claimed to have acted "in the name of France" and expressed hope that he would become a role model for French citizens.
Tessier linked his actions to the violence and looting accompanying events on October 17. However, investigators suggest his racist inclinations and criminal project predated those incidents.
The inquiry revealed the attack was not spontaneous but meticulously prepared. Since early September, Tessier had been acquiring equipment to enhance the effectiveness of his Sten submachine gun, including combat accessories, handcuffs, and a police badge.
Two days before the assault, he closed his social media accounts, sold his computer, and hid his phone. A search of his home in Plaisir yielded a copy of Hitler’s "Mein Kampf," two copies of the Bible, and posters featuring nationalist slogans and support for the National Rally party. Among these were 30 posters bearing the phrase "Long live France, National Rally, proud to be..."
Initial leaks from the investigation indicated Tessier denied belonging to any specific organization.
Police discovered a list in Tessier’s home containing the names of four left-wing politicians, including environmental defenders and members of the "La France Insoumise" party. Next to each name was a phone number, which investigators determined were public numbers obtained from party websites rather than private contacts.
When questioned about the list, Tessier denied planning any action against these figures. The attack resulted in the death of Bengo Bousio Angui, 26, and injured seven others, including an 11-year-old girl. The shooter fired at least 128 rounds while moving between the two cities.
On October 29, the suspect was charged with intentional murder and attempted murder connected to a terrorist enterprise, with an aggravating circumstance related to racial motive. He has been placed in pre-trial detention.
Medical examinations did not confirm the schizophrenia diagnosis mentioned by the suspect. Experts noted emotional coldness, personality disorders, and possible post-traumatic stress disorder following their assessment.
Current investigations focus on understanding the trajectory of his radicalization, determining his criminal responsibility, and establishing whether he acted alone.
