A 14-year-old student in France stabbed and killed a 31-year-old teaching assistant during a bag search at a secondary school in Nogent, eastern France, on Tuesday.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the attack “senseless violence” as the nation mourned the latest school tragedy.
The victim, whose name has not been released, was checking students’ bags with police present when the teenage attacker stabbed her multiple times around 8:00 am. The suspect, a pupil at Francoise Dolto school, was quickly restrained by officers, with one suffering minor injuries.
“This teaching assistant lost her life protecting our children from senseless violence,” Macron said in a statement. “The nation is in mourning.”
Education Minister Elisabeth Borne visited the school, praising staff who subdued the attacker. “I commend those who acted to protect students and staff,” she said.
Local resident Nora, who knew the victim, expressed grief: “She leaves behind a husband and young son. Today it happened in Nogent, but it could happen anywhere.”
Authorities suspended classes for two days as investigations continue. The incident follows growing concerns about knife violence in French schools. Since March, random bag searches have led to confiscation of 186 knives nationwide.
Prime Minister Francois Bayrou called knife possession among youth a “critical” threat, while teachers’ unions expressed outrage. “Teaching assistants aren’t security guards – she was simply doing her job,” said union leader Elisabeth Allain-Moreno.
This marks France’s latest school violence case after years of similar incidents. In May, lawmakers warned knife-carrying had become a widespread problem among minors, ranging from self-defense to psychological issues.
