A 14-year-old student was arrested after gunfire wounded two staff members at a French school.
Why it matters: The city's account said no pupils were injured, while the alleged shooter was a student at the collège.
- The shooting occurred Monday at Collège Joseph-Lakanal in Aubagne, near Marseille.
- The principal and a 37-year-old teacher were hospitalized with injuries not considered life-threatening.
- The suspect was reportedly carrying a 12-gauge hunting rifle, according to police cited by the Associated Press.
- As of Monday evening, the Marseille prosecutor's office had not disclosed a motive.
A 14-year-old student was arrested Monday after allegedly entering Collège Joseph-Lakanal in Aubagne with a hunting rifle and firing at the principal and a teacher, according to police and prosecutors cited by the Associated Press. The same report said the suspect was carrying a 12-gauge rifle.
The principal and the 37-year-old female teacher were transported for medical treatment. The city of Aubagne said their lives were not in danger and described the incident as serious in a Monday statement. The city said no pupils were injured.
The suspect was reportedly a student at the public collège and was placed in police custody. As of Monday evening, the Marseille prosecutor's office had not disclosed a motive. The available official account confirmed two injured staff members and no injured pupils; it did not establish any additional victim.
The regional prefect said the incident was not connected to the high-school protest movement affecting some French schools. The collège was not blocked, according to TF1 Info.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu directed Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and Education Minister Édouard Geffray to travel to Aubagne, the Associated Press reported. The source of the firearm, its legal classification and how the teenager obtained it remained unresolved. French government guidance says minors generally cannot buy Category C firearms and that possession is subject to age and licensing conditions. That guidance does not establish whether this rifle was Category C, who owned it or how the suspect obtained it.
By the numbers
- 2 staff members - wounded in the shooting
- 14 years old - age of the arrested student
- 37 years old - age of the wounded teacher
Yes, but: The official casualty update identified two wounded staff members and no injured pupils. Authorities had not disclosed a motive or explained how the suspect obtained the firearm as of Monday evening.
What's next: The Marseille prosecutor's office is expected to provide further information on the motive, the firearm and the investigation.