News · France

Teenager Admits to School Shooting in Aubagne but Denies Intent to Kill

A 14-year-old student in Aubagne, France, has acknowledged firing on a principal and a teacher while saying he did not wish to kill them, citing months of planning and revenge for alleged harassment.

Teenager Admits to School Shooting in Aubagne but Denies Intent to Kill
Author
Democracy News Live Desk
Date
14 Oct 2026
Read
2 min
The shooting at Lakanal College

On 12 October 2026, a shooting took place at Lakanal College in Aubagne. The incident involved a young student discharging a weapon inside the school premises.

Coverage
The minister’s visit

The following day, 13 October 2026, the Minister of the Interior travelled to the scene of the shooting to assess the situation and show government presence.

The teenager admits the act

On 14 October 2026, the adolescent acknowledged that he had shot the school principal and a teacher. He confirmed the material facts of the attack.

On the same day, 14 October 2026, the teenager was placed in garde à vue, the French police custody measure that follows an arrest while investigations proceed.

Appearance before terrorism judges

Also on 14 October 2026, the teenager was brought before three judges specialised in terrorism matters for a preliminary hearing, as the case is being handled under terrorism jurisdiction.

Use of Tasers during the incident

The chronology notes that Tasers were deployed in the shooting incident at the Aubagne school on 14 October 2026, indicating that law‑enforcement officers used electroshock weapons during the response.

The adolescent’s garde à vue

On the same day, 14 October 2026, the teenager was placed in garde à vue, the French police custody measure that follows an arrest while investigations proceed.

Denial of intent to kill

The youngster claims he recognised the materiality of the facts but contests that he had wanted to kill the principal and the teacher, insisting his intention was not lethal.

A project matured over months
Motive: revenge for harassment

The adolescent says he acted out of vengeance, stating that he had been subjected to harassment by teachers and classmates, which he cites as the reason for his actions.

Additional claim of vengeance motive

Beyond the harassment claim, the suspect invoked a broader will of vengeance linked to the alleged mistreatment by educators and peers.

Prosecution’s request and terrorism investigation

The prosecution has asked for the teenager’s detention and has opened an information judiciaire for terrorism‑related charges, signalling the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the case.

Investigation under three terrorism judges in Paris

The investigation will continue under the supervision of three terrorism judges based in Paris, who will oversee the proceedings as the case moves forward.

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