Europeupdated 1h ago2 min read
French Police Detain 14-Year-Old Suspect After He Shoots Principal And Teacher In Aubagne
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A 14-year-old pupil detained after shooting principal and teacher at Joseph-Lakanal middle school in Aubagne Shotgun hidden in a guitar case; two staff members were struck
Aubagne school shooting
French police detained a 14-year-old pupil suspected of opening fire at the Joseph Lakanal middle school in Aubagne, east of Marseille, wounding the principal and a teacher with a hunting gun hidden in a guitar case. A staff member at the school disarmed the boy after he fired multiple shots while roaming on two floors, and prosecutors said the principal and teacher were hit with ammunition used in 12-gauge shotguns.
Aubagne Mayor Jean-Pierre Squillari said no pupils were injured and that mental health counseling was being offered to pupils after the attack. Education Minister Édouard Geffray said the incident highlighted the rise of “unbridled violence” in society, while the police department in the Bouches-du-Rhône region said the suspect’s motive was unknown.
Officials and investigation
Education Minister Édouard Geffray told reporters that “A student is suspected of being responsible,” as he said he was heading to the Lakanal middle school with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and Sabrina Roubache. Bouches-du-Rhône departmental council president Martine Vassal told reporters that the 14-year-old entered the school grounds with a gun before several shots were heard.
Aubagne Mayor Jean-Pierre Squillari said, “All students were immediately confined and made safe within seconds,” and he said a psychological support unit was set up on site. The Marseille public prosecutor’s office opened an investigation for “attempted murder,” and the motive was described as unclear while police said there did not appear to be a link to high school protests.
Macron and Le Pen
Emmanuel Macron reacted on X to the shootings at Lakanal College in Aubagne and praised the educational staff’s actions, writing, “I want to acknowledge the cold-bloodedness and the exemplary response of the educational team, which prevented the worst.” Marine Le Pen said schools, which should be “sanctuaries,” had become places where people risk their lives, and she warned that “Insecurity has entered schools.”
“‘Schools, which should be sanctuaries, are now places where people risk their lives.”
The incident also coincided with student mobilizations in France, and local reports said the shooting was unrelated to high school protests demanding better-resourced schools. The French government’s response included plans for Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and Education Minister Édouard Geffray to travel to the scene, while the BBC said the education minister was due to visit the scene with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez on Monday afternoon.