A 14-year-old student allegedly shot a headteacher and injured another teacher after opening fire with a shotgun at a middle school in southern France this morning. The incident occurred at the Joseph-Lakanal middle school in Aubagne, a municipality near Marseille.
The principal, a man in his 50s, was allegedly shot in front of the school as he was "targeted" by a gunshot, presumably from a 12-gauge shotgun, Le Figaro reports. About four or five shots are said to have been fired. A 37-year-old teacher has also been wounded by a ricochet, according to French media.
Suspect arrested after school staff intervene
A spokesperson for the Bouches-du-Rhône police headquarters confirmed the incident took place, adding that a boy aged 14 has been arrested. The suspect is reportedly a student at the school, with the gun he used described by other media outlets as a hunting rifle. A third person is also believed to have sustained minor injuries, similarly to the headmaster and teacher, who were wounded in the lower body.
They were treated by paramedics at the scene but their lives are not in danger. A police source told Le Parisien that the teenager was initially restrained by school staff before he was arrested by the police.
Education minister condemns 'unacceptable act'
Minister of National Education Édouard Geffray said: "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."
He added: "This unacceptable act bears witness once again to the spread of unbridled violence in our society, against which we must all mobilize. In words as in deeds."
Student cited harassment; no link to protests
Le Parisien also reports that the 14-year-old said he was "being harassed by the school" and that he first entered his classroom, where he opened fire on one of his teachers. He missed, hitting a blackboard instead.
It is understood today's events have "no connection with the high school movements, as this college is not affected by the blockades". This comes as more than 70,000 demonstrators have so far taken to the streets across France last week, protesting against dilapidated classrooms and a shortage of teachers. More than 500 people have so far been arrested, with dozens of police officers injured during the protests.
