A 14-year-old boy opened fire at a middle school in southern France, injuring the principal and three teachers.
According to AFP, the shooting occurred on October 12 at Joseph-Lacanal Middle School in Aubagne, near Marseille. Prosecutors reported that the suspect retrieved a hunting shotgun from a guitar case and fired four shots toward classrooms where teachers and students were present.
The motive for the attack remains unclear, and authorities stated that the suspect has no prior history of violence or terrorism.
The injured principal, 53, and a 37-year-old teacher were taken to the hospital, but their injuries are not life-threatening.
A student present at the scene told AFP that during a Spanish class, a fire alarm prompted them to exit into the hallway, where they encountered the shooter. The student recounted, "(The suspect) started shooting and said, 'I only came for the teachers, not the students.'"
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his respect for the calm and exemplary response of the school staff on X. Education Minister Édouard Geffray visited the site and stated, "Schools cannot handle everything alone, and they cannot bear the burden of severe violence by themselves."
Authorities believe the shooting is unrelated to recent high school protests that have shaken France in recent weeks.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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