Schoolteacher Stabbed by Student in Classroom in Western France

An 18-year-old student was captured in western France on Monday after stabbing his English teacher in the face and escaping, said French authorities.

According to the French media, the teacher is from the Chemill-en-Anjou in Western France. The teacher reportedly suffered a “facial injury that is not life-threatening”, said a joint statement from the authorities including the prefect and public prosecutor.

The attack reportedly took place in at the Lycee de l’Hydrome on Monday morning. Public prosecutor Eric Bouillard told the reporters that authorities have “ruled out any religious or radical motive”, adding that the suspect expressed feelings of “unhappiness.”

The prosecutor stated that the teacher was stabbed during class after a break. “He grabbed the teacher from behind and stabbed her in the face, causing panic in the classroom”, the report said.

The suspect fled the scene of the incident in a hurry, through a window, leaving behind his knife. He was reportedly detained by gendarmes and municipal police. Prosecutor Bouillard noted that although the injury was minor, the lasting “psychological impact” will be much “greater”.

Bouillard also stated that the pupil did not seem to have any grievances against the teacher. The pupil had been attending the school for three years and reportedly returned on Monday after an absence due to illness. Fellow pupils said he appeared in a good mood on Monday morning.

Reports state that the authorities have launched an investigation into “attempted murder.”

Meanwhile, Education Minister Nicole Belloubet said she was “deeply shocked and outraged”, about the incident. “My thoughts are with the victim and the entire educational community”, said the Minister.

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