Trappes attack: Pengo's father demands the national tribute be used to fight racism

His voice broke before the first words. Too moved to read his statement himself, Bolema Bossio Wangi let his daughter Ambre, the victim's half-sister, speak at a press conference in Paris on Monday 2 November. His message, addressed directly to Emmanuel Macron, came down to one demand: that the national tribute promised to the victims of the Trappes attack serve to take action against racism.

Bolema Bossio Wangi, Pengo's father, said such a tribute must not be merely a moment of remembrance, but must also be an opportunity for a genuine awakening and a commitment against racism.

Afraid as the father of Black children

In the statement, the father looks back on his own youth. Of African immigrant background, he says he grew up in France in the 1980s and 1990s, at a time when racist violence against Black and North African people was common. He says he never imagined that his son would, decades later, be shot dead by a man driven by the same hatred.

He describes a France riven by strong identity tensions and blames a racism that, in his view, is fuelled by certain media outlets and political parties. Despite their anger and pain, he and Pengo's mother say they have chosen to place their trust in the justice system. He also stressed his attachment to the country's values, first among them fraternity.

Bolema Bossio Wangi said France must always remain true to its values, whatever people's origins.

One dead, seven injured

On 23 October, Pengo Bossio Wangi, 26, was shot dead in Trappes (Yvelines). Seven other people were injured during the same killing spree, which continued into the neighbouring town of La Verrière. Among them was a 12-year-old girl who was seriously wounded. Several of the victims are of African or North African origin.

The suspect, Kévin T., 39, was placed under formal investigation in Paris on Thursday and remanded in custody. According to national anti-terrorism prosecutor Olivier Christen, quoted by BFMTV, he admitted targeting people because of their supposed origin. He reported psychiatric problems, but the anti-terrorism prosecutor's office considers that the schizophrenia diagnosis he put forward reflects his own interpretation rather than a medical conclusion. He remains presumed innocent.

A climate that remains heavy

The shockwaves have not subsided. On Saturday it emerged that the mayor of Trappes, Ali Rabeh, had been sent a letter with racist content containing a white powder, posted from the Côtes-d'Armor. An investigation has been opened. According to a police source quoted by France Télévisions, the powder may be talc.

Since the attack, the mayor has repeatedly spoken out against hate speech, which he accuses of having paved the way for the attack.

What next

The government announced last week that a national tribute would be held, presided over by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. Its date has not yet been made public. The judicial investigation, entrusted to the anti-terrorism judiciary, continues.