On Monday morning, 2026‑10‑12, a 14‑year‑old student arrived at Collège Lakanal in Aubagne, Bouches‑du‑Rhône, carrying a shotgun concealed inside a guitar case. He moved through the grounds of the Joseph‑Lakanal middle school and fired four times. The bullets struck the 53‑year‑old principal in the hip and a 37‑year‑old female teacher in the thigh. Both victims were taken to hospital; medical staff said their lives were not in danger.
After the initial volley, the adolescent proceeded to the second floor. There he told students that he was only targeting teachers. He then fired two more times in the presence of staff, the shots hitting a blackboard. The principal’s injury was to the hip, the teacher’s to the thigh. Neither wound proved fatal, and both remained under care while the scene was secured.
The boy was subdued by the school’s educational counselor, known as the CPE, who managed to immobilize him before further harm could occur. Students, teachers, and parents were left in shock. In response, the school arranged psychological support for the affected community. Because of the trauma, authorities decided that the Joseph‑Lakanal college would open only to teachers on Tuesday, while pupils remained at home.
Hugo recalled, "Il était juste derrière moi," and added, "J’ai vu son arme, de la fumée, il était en train de recharger.
The Marseille prosecutor’s office confirmed the incident and opened a formal investigation for attempted murder, entrusting the case to the organized crime brigade. The charges filed specifically include ‘attempts to murder.’ Investigators emphasized that, at this stage, all hypotheses regarding the shooter’s motives are being considered and that no conclusion has been drawn about any intended target.
A source close to the investigation told reporters, "For now, all hypotheses are on the table, we are still trying to understand his motivations, to know if he was looking for specific people." Audrey Jouaneton, a spokesperson for the school district, said, "We do not have, for the moment, sufficient elements to say that he wanted to target this headmaster and this teacher."
Two students identified only by first name gave their accounts. Hugo recalled, "Il était juste derrière moi," and added, "J’ai vu son arme, de la fumée, il était en train de recharger." Dimitri offered a somber outlook, stating, "Le plus dur reste à venir." Audrey, another member of the educational team, expressed her distress, saying, "Je suis bouleversée pour l’équipe pédagogique."
The shooter is 14 years old. He fired four times initially and then two additional times, striking a blackboard. The principal is 53 years old; the injured teacher is 37 years old. Hugo witnessed the event. The shooting took place on Monday morning, 2026‑10‑12.
Investigators have not established a motive. They continue to examine whether the teenager sought particular individuals or acted more broadly. The prosecutor’s office reiterated that every hypothesis remains on the table. Meanwhile, the school’s limited reopening plan aims to allow staff to assess safety measures before welcoming back the full student body.
As of the days following the attack, the community of Aubagne is grappling with the aftermath. The principal and teacher remain hospitalized but out of immediate danger. The investigation led by the Marseille prosecutor’s office proceeds, with the organized crime brigade gathering evidence. Counseling services are in place for students, families, and staff. The broader question of what drove a 14‑year‑old to bring a weapon into his school remains unanswered, and authorities stress that they will not rule out any possibility until the facts are clear.