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A terrorism investigation is under way after a shooting in a suburb outside Paris left one person dead and four others injured.
The shootings took place at three separate locations in the towns of Trappes and La Verrière, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said.
The two towns are located around 15 miles southwest of central Paris, in the Yvelines department.
Mr Nunez said the attacker used a “military-grade weapon, or at least an automatic weapon” during the shootings.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear. However, France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office is leading the investigation and is examining whether the shootings were motivated by racial or religious hatred.
Ali Rabeh, the mayor of Trappes, told French broadcaster BFMTV that a man had fired shots from his car and “appeared to be firing at random and seemed intent on carrying out a massacre”.
He said the person who was killed was of African origin, while one of the injured victims was of North African origin.
“It is a miracle that there were not more victims,” Mr Rabeh said, adding that the attacker had opened fire at several locations, including a playground.
The mayor also confirmed that a 12-year-old girl was among those injured in the shootings.
Police have not yet released details about the identities or ages of the victims.
French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said all available resources were being deployed to respond to the incident and support the investigation.
“All available resources of the security forces and judicial authorities have been fully mobilised,” he said.
The shooting comes as France prepares for further protests on Saturday over the rising cost of living and concerns about the state of the country’s schools.
The government is planning a significantly larger security operation in an effort to prevent a repeat of the widespread unrest and violence seen last week.
Mr Nunez said approximately 70,000 security personnel would be deployed across the country to maintain order and respond to potential disturbances.
Major cultural attractions, including the Louvre Museum, will also remain closed as authorities prepare for the expected demonstrations and strengthen security measures.
