Kévin T., the assailant of the Trappes attack which killed Pengo Bossio Wangi and injured 7 other people, attempted suicide in detention. This attempt took place a few days ago. As the suspect's vital prognosis was not in jeopardy, he returned to his cell.

Published on: 04/11/2026 - 08:56

Kévin T., the suspect in the racist attack of October 23 in Yvelines, attempted suicide by hanging while he was in detention, and was able to return to his cell after being taken into care, two sources close to the case told AFP.

This suicide attempt "took place a few days ago, followed as usual by treatment by emergency services," said one of these sources. “His vital prognosis was not in jeopardy, he was able to return to his cell the same day,” she added.

"We deplore [...] that this information, which concerns the strictest privacy of our client, was disclosed so quickly", commented his lawyers, Baptiste Bellet and Eliott Amzallag, contacted by AFP.

Also read: Circumstances, suspect, motive... what we know about the "racist terrorist" attack in Trappes

Questions about his “psychological state”

“Above all, we hope that his detention takes place in the best possible conditions, so that the investigation can take its course peacefully. This suicide attempt nevertheless raises legitimate questions about his psychological state, which will have to be the subject of a thorough medical evaluation,” they added.

On October 23, Kévin T., at the wheel of his car, killed a 26-year-old Frenchman of African origin and injured seven other people, four of them seriously, the majority of African and North African origin, in Trappes and La Verrière in Yvelines.

He was indicted and imprisoned on October 29, after having, according to the prosecution, admitted to having targeted Muslim, African or North African people.

The suspect, in whom homemade stickers praising the National Rally were found, was indicted for "assassination" and "attempted assassinations", "in relation to a terrorist enterprise, with the circumstance that the facts were committed because of true or supposed membership to an alleged race, ethnic group, nation or specific religion", specified the national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office (Pnat).

Also read “There is continuity between hate speech and actions”

Kévin T., convicted four times in the past, the last time in 2012, reported psychological problems as well as heavy drug consumption from the age of 13.

The analyzes revealed "the presence of cannabis and cocaine in his blood" at the time of the attack as well as molecules "consistent with the taking of antipsychotic and antidepressant medications", according to the Pnat.

The prosecutor also specified that according to the doctor, "the diagnosis of schizophrenia alleged by Kévin T. was more an interpretation of the person concerned than a medical conclusion".

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