Reported by:
Cherry Meigh Timbol
News Content Editor
Published October 31, 2026
Le Monde reported that leaflets from Marine Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) were found in the car of the suspect in a deadly shooting near Paris. France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor then denied it, and the party has sued the paper for defamation.
The attack
On October 23, a drive-by shooting struck Trappes and La Verrière, two towns southwest of Paris. One person was killed and several others were seriously wounded. Prosecutors identified the suspect as Kévin T., 39. The man who died was Pengo Bossio Wangi, 26.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez called it a “terrorist crime.” The national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office opened an investigation for murder and attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise, with the aggravating circumstance of race, ethnicity or religion. (le monde spreads false rn link on trappes shooter as psychiatric and left wing history emerge +3)
The report and the denial
Le Monde first reported, citing a “source close to the investigation,” that RN leaflets had been found in the suspect’s car. At a press briefing on Monday, October 26, prosecutor Olivier Christen said no leaflet from any political party had been found in the vehicle. Le Monde then updated its article.
Accounts differ on how the paper handled the change. Brussels Signal, a news site, reported that the original headline was replaced with one saying new findings confirmed a racist motive.
It said there was no explicit correction or apology to readers. I could not find a formal statement from Le Monde explaining the change. (brusselssignal)
Political reaction
Marine Le Pen wrote on X that Le Monde had spread unfounded information refuted by the prosecutor. She called it a “blatant disinformation” maneuver that raised questions about the media’s objectivity during a presidential campaign. RN president Jordan Bardella demanded a mea culpa and a public apology. On Tuesday, October 27, the party announced it was suing Le Monde for defamation.
Other details
The suspect has contested the racist character of the crimes, according to the prosecutor. He told police he was being treated for schizophrenia. A later psychiatric examination found no clinical signs of an incapacitating condition, and he remains in custody. Le Point reported he was not known as an ultra-right activist. Former acquaintances told Mediapart he had voiced racist views for years. The investigation is ongoing, and the defamation case has not yet been heard.
Video re the Trappes Attack
