In brief
In the early hours of Monday, a student entered Lakanal Middle School armed, firing at a principal and a teacher. Both staff members sustained non‑life‑threatening injuries while all pupils were safely confined. The suspect was arrested immediately, and French officials stated the incident was unrelated to ongoing protests over school conditions. Education Minister Edouard Geffray and Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez are attending the scene in Aubagne.
In the early hours of Monday, a 14‑year‑old pupil entered Lakanal Middle School in Aubagne, armed with a firearm, and shot at a principal and a teacher. The educators suffered non‑life‑threatening wounds to their legs and thighs, while no students were harmed.
The student was detained immediately after the teachers were minimally injured, and a school staff member restrained him before authorities could intervene. Mayor Jean‑Pierre Squillari confirmed that all pupils were safely confined within seconds of the incident.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray posted on social media that the assailant is a student and that the attack was not linked to contemporary protests about school conditions. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez will visit the scene with Geffray later that day.
Police are continuing an investigation into how the teenager obtained access to a weapon and the motives behind the shooting. The school has been closed pending a full safety assessment, and the national education system is monitoring the situation closely.
