Knife Attack at High School in Northern France

Investigation and Suspected Attacker

Antiterror prosecutors have taken charge of the investigation into the attack at Gambetta high school. Located approximately 115 miles (185 kilometers) north of Paris, the school became the site of this horrific event, which has left the nation in shock.

Sliman Hamzi, a courageous police officer who arrived at the scene early on, reported that the suspected attacker was a former student of the high school. According to Hamzi, the perpetrator shouted “Allahu akbar” (meaning “God is great” in Arabic) during the attack. Another officer who witnessed the incident quickly alerted Hamzi, exclaiming, “someone is attacking with a knife.”

Immediate Response

Colleagues also arrived promptly, but sadly, they were unable to save the victim. The scene was chaotic and devastating for everyone involved.

Unprecedented Event

School attacks are rare in France, which makes this incident all the more shocking and distressing. President Emmanuel Macron, along with the interior and education ministers, were en route to the scene to assess the situation personally. Furthermore, the government has issued an urgent request to fortify security measures at all schools nationwide.

Arrest and Prior Indications

Ongoing Lockdown

As the investigation continues, parents anxiously await updates. At the time of this statement, pupils remain confined to the locked-down school, more than two hours after the attack occurred. The situation is tense, and the community is grappling with shock and grief.

Note: Personal details of the individuals involved have been withheld to respect their privacy.

Tragic Attack Reveals Lingering Tensions in France

Three years after the brutal beheading of a teacher in suburban Paris, another shocking incident occurred on Friday. Samuel Paty, a history and geography teacher, was tragically murdered on October 16, 2020, by an 18-year-old of Chechen origin who had been radicalized. This time, the assailant seemed to specifically target a history teacher.

Martin Doussau, a philosophy teacher at Gambetta High School, shared his harrowing experience with the attacker. Doussau revealed that he was chased and relentlessly questioned about whether he taught history. The terrified teacher managed to escape into a secured room, where he barricaded himself until the police arrived and subdued the attacker using a stun gun.

Doussau’s mind immediately connected this event to the previous tragedy involving Samuel Paty. The memory of that horrific incident resurfaced as the assailant relentlessly sought out history teachers.

The attack occurred amidst escalating tensions following Hamas’ assault on southern Israel, triggering a violent military response. Regrettably, the conflict has resulted in the loss of numerous civilian lives. Muslim nations have called for mass protests after Friday prayers to condemn Israel’s intensive bombing campaign in Gaza.

In response to rising antisemitic acts since the Hamas attack, Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin implemented a ban on all pro-Palestinian demonstrations. France, home to the third-largest Jewish population worldwide (after Israel and the U.S.), also boasts the largest Muslim population in Western Europe.

Expressing their condolences and standing in solidarity with the victims, their families, and the educational community, Naima Moutchou, Vice President of France’s lower house of parliament, issued a statement on behalf of the National Assembly.

As France grapples with yet another tragic loss, it becomes evident that deep-rooted tensions persist within society.