In brief
In the early hours of Monday, gunfire erupted outside Lakanal middle school in Aubagne, a suburb of Marseille. A 14‑year‑old student entered the school with a gun, leading to shots that injured the principal and a teacher. No children were harmed, and the suspect was swiftly detained by staff. French education officials and the mayor confirmed that the incident was unrelated to ongoing school‑condition protests and emphasized swift containment of the situation.
In the early hours of Monday, a series of gunshots tore through the grounds of Lakanal middle school in Aubagne, a suburb of Marseille. The attacks left a 53‑year‑old principal and a 37‑year‑old teacher with non‑life‑threatening injuries – one to the leg, the other to the thigh.
According to Mayor Jean‑Pierre Squillari, a 14‑year‑old pupil entered the school carrying a firearm. Staff promptly restrained the student, and he was arrested “immediately” as police secured the scene.
No children were harmed. “All students were immediately confined and made safe within seconds,” Mayor Squillari posted on social media. French media reported the suspect was detained without incident.
The event was not linked to the nationwide protests over school conditions. Education Minister Edouard Geffray issued a statement on X: “Two staff members from the National Education system were victims this morning of gunshot wounds at Lakanal middle school in Aubagne. A student is said to be the perpetrator.” He will visit the scene with Interior Minister Laurent Nunez on Monday afternoon.
Police have called the incident an isolated act of violence, but the investigation remains ongoing. The French Interior Ministry has urged calm and cooperation from the public as authorities work to secure the area and determine motive.
