French high school student arrested after fatally stabbing another and wounding 3

A 15-year-old student fatally stabbed a fellow classmate and injured three others during a lunchtime attack at Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides High School in Nantes, western France, on Thursday. The motive remains unclear, though the suspect reportedly emailed grievances to students shortly before the incident.

The attack occurred at the private Catholic school complex near the Atlantic coast. Teachers subdued the attacker before police took him into custody. One victim is in critical condition, and the tragedy has shocked the community and raised concerns about youth mental health.

Prime Minister Francois Bayrou ordered heightened security at schools nationwide and called for urgent proposals to combat knife violence among youth, including the potential use of metal detectors.

President Emmanuel Macron praised the bravery of staff, while Education Minister Elisabeth Borne acknowledged the trauma faced by teachers and students. The school remains focused on supporting those affected.

Although France’s counterterrorism office is monitoring the case, it has not taken over the investigation, which is being handled as an isolated incident. Authorities stress that fatal school attacks are rare in France but express growing concern over the influence of violent online content on youth behavior.