The attack occurred just before 8:00 am as students were arriving for school. The teaching assistant, who was performing her duties at the school entrance, was stabbed multiple times. The suspect, also a student at the school, was quickly restrained and taken into custody by police officers present at the scene. One officer sustained minor injuries during the intervention.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack as “senseless violence” and expressed the nation’s mourning on social media platform X. “While protecting our children, a teaching assistant lost her life,” Macron wrote, emphasizing the government’s commitment to tackling crime and ensuring school safety.
Prime Minister Francois Bayroudescribed the prevalence of knives among minors as a “critical” issue and called for urgent measures to make this “widespread scourge a public enemy.”
Education Minister Elisabeth Borne traveled to Nogent to offer support and praised the calm and dedication of those who subdued the attacker, highlighting the need for prevention rather than simply increasing security measures.
This incident follows a growing concern in France over weapon possession in schools, prompting police to conduct random bag searches since March. Between late March and May, over 6,000 checks resulted in the seizure of 186 knives.
Teachers’ unions expressed deep sorrow and frustration, noting that teaching assistants are educators, not security personnel, and called for stronger preventive actions to protect school staff and students.
Classes at the Francoise Dolto school have been suspended for Tuesday and Wednesday as the community mourns the loss and authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.
