In a shocking incident on Monday morning, a 15-year-old pupil fatally stabbed a teaching assistant outside a middle school in Nogent, located in the Haute-Marne department of north-east France. The 31-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries after being attacked during a routine bag search at the start of the school day. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the act, labeling it a “senseless wave of violence” and expressing his condolences for the victim and her family.
The suspect, who was not previously known to police, was overpowered by gendarmes and is now in police custody. At the time of the attack, nearly 300 students were trapped in the school. This breaking development prompted urgent security measures across the city and a rapid reaction from local officials.
Education Minister Élisabeth Borne declared that she was on her way to Nogent to support the school community and law enforcement in place. In light of this tragedy, Jean-Rémi Girard, president of the National Union of Secondary Schools, emphasized the challenges schools face in ensuring safety.
“It’s impossible to be more vigilant 24 hours a day. We can’t say that every student is a danger or a threat, otherwise we’d never get out of bed in the morning.” – Jean-Rémi Girard
This incident follows a concerning trend of violence in French schools. In March, police began conducting random searches for knives and other weapons in schools. This drastic measure was taken in response to rising concern of imminent attacks. After a fatal assault at a school in Nantes in April, the education ministry reported that 958 random bag checks had resulted in the seizure of 94 knives.
On the left, Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally party, expressed her dismay at the daily violence in schools. She called for decisive action to curb juvenile offenses and criticized what she described as the “normalization of extreme violence” fostered by government inaction.
“Not a week goes by without a tragedy striking a school. The French people have had enough and are waiting for a firm, uncompromising and determined political response to the scourge of juvenile violence.” – Marine Le Pen
Élisabeth Allain-Moreno, secretary general of the SE-Unsa teachers’ union, expressed sorrow over the incident, highlighting that the teaching assistant was simply fulfilling her role by welcoming students at the entrance of the school.
“While protecting our children, a teaching assistant lost her life, the victim of a senseless wave of violence … The nation is in mourning and the government is mobilized to reduce crime.” – Emmanuel Macron
Borne praised the bravery of the individuals who intervened during the shooting to save students and employees. She further highlighted that though security precautions are necessary, they won’t ensure total safety.