An 18-year-old student was apprehended in western France on Monday after stabbing his English teacher in the face and then fleeing, as reported by news agency AFP, citing local authorities. A joint statement from the prefect and public prosecutor revealed that the teacher from Chemille-en-Anjou in western France “sustained a facial injury that is not life-threatening.”
Law enforcement officials were observed outside the Lycee de l’Hyrome, where the incident occurred on Monday morning, according to AFP. Speaking to the press, public prosecutor Eric Bouillard dismissed “any religious or radical motive,” as reported by AFP. He added that the suspect had conveyed feelings of “unhappiness.”
The prosecutor’s account detailed that the suspect attacked the teacher during a class following a break. He “approached the teacher from behind and stabbed her in the face, causing chaos in the classroom,” he explained.
After the attack, the suspect fled through a window, leaving his knife behind, authorities stated, according to AFP. He was subsequently detained by gendarmes and municipal police.
Bouillard mentioned that the student did not appear to hold any grudges against the teacher. He also noted that although the teacher was struck on the cheek and sustained only a minor injury, “the psychological impact” would be “much greater.”
As reported by AFP, the young man had been attending the school for three years and returned on Monday following an illness. Fellow students observed that he seemed to be in good spirits that morning. The prosecutor revealed that the suspect purchased the knife last week. “He saw this knife and bought it, knowing he intended to use it,” the prosecutor said, as cited by AFP. He additionally mentioned that the student felt “too much pressure.”
Authorities stated that the young man had no prior police record. They also provided counseling for both students and teachers after the incident. An investigation into “attempted murder” has been initiated.
Education Minister Nicole Belloubet expressed that she was “deeply shocked and outraged.” “My thoughts are with the victim and the entire educational community,” she posted on X.
