In brief
At 9am on Monday, a 14‑year‑old student entered Lakanal Middle School in Aubagne armed and fired two shots, striking a principal and a teacher. Both staff were wounded but survived. The pupil was quickly restrained and arrested. Authorities say the incident is unrelated to protests over school conditions. French Education Minister Edouard Geffray and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez will visit the scene. No students were harmed, with all pupils secured swiftly.
A student has been arrested after a principal and teacher were shot at a school in France on Monday morning.
A 14‑year‑old pupil was detained immediately following an incident at Lakanal Middle School in Aubagne. Reacting to news reports, the mayor of Aubagne, Jean‑Pierre Squillari, confirmed the suspect was apprehended on the spot.
No children were harmed; the teachers received medical treatment for wounds that are not life‑threatening. The headteacher (53) sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, and the 37‑year‑old teacher was hit in the thigh.
French broadcasters BFMTV and Le Parisien indicated the event was not linked to ongoing protests over school conditions. Sources familiar with the investigation described it as an isolated act.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray posted on social media: “Two staff members from the National Education system, a principal and a teacher, were victims this morning of gunshot wounds at Lakanal Middle School in Aubagne. A student is said to be the perpetrator.”
Both the Education Minister and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez will visit the scene near Marseille later in the day. They are expected to discuss the incident and measures to protect schools.
The pupil allegedly entered the school holding a handgun. The attack was stopped by a staff member who restrained the student. Within seconds, all students were secured and kept safe.
For context, Lakanal’s location is in the southern part of France, close to Marseille. The community is now mobilizing to prevent further incidents and support the affected families.
