French official monitors extremist group

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said security services are tracking "several dozen" young people connected to the "True Crime Community" movement, which celebrates mass shootings. This information was shared on Friday, October 16, and Nuñez called the phenomenon "emerging in France."

Movement linked to school shooting

On Monday, a 14-year-old used a hunting rifle to open fire at his middle school in Aubagne, injuring the school principal and a teacher before being disarmed. The shooter claimed to have been influenced by the "True Crime Community" movement but denied intending to kill the individuals targeted.

Suspect linked via social media

Another 13-year-old was taken into custody on Thursday, suspected of having communicated with the first shooter through TikTok. This indicates that the movement may be spreading through online platforms, connecting like-minded individuals.

Youth described as isolated

Nuñez described these young people as socially isolated, with lives largely confined to social media. He said they interact with others online, forming communities that glorify mass shootings based on an ideological background he called "rather ultra-right."

Youth may not grasp ideology

Nuñez noted that some of these individuals, who are 14-15 years old, may not fully understand the ultra-right ideology they are drawn to. Instead, they may admire mass shooters, such as those in the United States and Canada, out of awe or fascination.