18-Year-Old Student Detained After He Stabs Schoolteacher In Class In France

Speaking to reporters, public prosecutor Eric Bouillard ruled out 'any religious or radical motive' and said that the suspect expressed feelings of 'unhappiness.'

An 18-year-old student was detained in western France on Monday after he stabbed his English teacher in the face and fled, news agency AFP reported, citing authorities. In a joint statement including the prefect and public prosecutor, the authorities said that the teacher from the town of Chemille-en-Anjou in western France "suffered a facial injury that is not life-threatening".

According to AFP, Law enforcement officers were seen in front of the Lycee de l'Hyrome where the attack took place on Monday morning. Speaking to reporters, public prosecutor Eric Bouillard ruled out "any religious or radical motive", AFP reported. He further stated that the suspect expressed feelings of "unhappiness."

The suspect student attacked the teacher during a class after a break, according to the prosecutor's account. He "grabbed the teacher from behind and stabbed her in the face, causing panic in the classroom," he stated.

Following the attack, the suspect was quick to flee the scene through the window, abandoning his knife, according to the authorities, as per AFP. Gendarmes and municipal police detained him.

Bouillard said the student did not seem to have any grievances against the teacher. He also said that while the teacher was hit in the cheek and her injury was minor "the psychological impact" will be "much greater".

According to AFP, the young man had been a student at the school for three years and returned there Monday after an absence due to illness. According to fellow students, the suspect appeared in a good mood on Monday morning. The prosecutor said that the suspect bought the knife last week, the prosecutor said. "He saw this knife and bought it, knowing that he was going to do something with it," he said, as quoted by AFP. He further stated that the student complained of "too much pressure."

According to officials, the young man was not previously known to the police. They further that students and teachers were given counselling following the attack. An investigation into "attempted murder" has been launched.

Education Minister Nicole Belloubet said she was "deeply shocked and outraged". "My thoughts are with the victim and the entire educational community", she added on X.