Shooting at Aubagne school injures two staff members

A shooting occurred on Monday, October 12, at the Joseph-Lakanal middle school in Aubagne, Bouches-du-Rhône, near Marseille, in which the school principal and a teacher were injured. According to multiple sources, the principal was shot in the lower body by a 12-gauge hunting rifle, while the teacher was injured by a ricocheting bullet to the thigh. A third person was slightly grazed. The suspect, a 14-year-old student enrolled at the school, was arrested shortly after the incident.

Incident occurred during school hours

The shooting took place around 10:00 a.m. within the school premises. According to police sources, the student used a hunting rifle, which was hidden in a guitar case, and fired multiple times, including at least two shots. The student was reportedly disarmed by the school's CPE (Head of Education) before police arrived. The principal, a 53-year-old man, was hit in the right hip, and the teacher, aged 37, suffered a superficial injury to the thigh. Both were treated at local hospitals, and their vital prognosis is not considered critical.

No link to broader student protests

The incident is not linked to the current student and university movement across France, as confirmed by the police prefecture of Bouches-du-Rhône. The mayor of Aubagne, Jean-Pierre Squillari, stated that the student was described as "a quiet child" with no prior criminal record. The student reportedly claimed he was "bullied" at the school and had stolen the rifle from his father.

School evacuated and support provided

The school was evacuated, and a psychological support cell was activated for students who witnessed the event. Many parents arrived at the school to pick up their children, with some students remaining under surveillance. The mayor noted that several students had been psychologically affected by the incident.

Authorities open investigation and plan visits

The prosecutors' office in Marseille has opened an investigation for "attempted murder." The ministers of the Interior, Laurent Nuñez, and National Education, Édouard Geffray, are expected to visit the site later in the day. The incident has sparked concern over school safety and the rise of violence in France.

Suspect in custody as motives remain unclear

The student was taken into custody and is being questioned by authorities. The exact motivations behind the shooting remain under investigation.