A 14-year-old student has been charged with attempted murder after stabbing his arts teacher on Tuesday at La Guicharde college in Sanary-sur-Mer. The teenager, who confessed to hating the teacher due to disciplinary incidents, has been placed in provisional detention. Emmanuel Macron expressed support for the victim and called for stronger school security measures.
The attack occurred on Tuesday in a classroom at La Guicharde college in Sanary-sur-Mer, in the Var region. A third-year student, aged 14 and turning 15 in a month, stabbed his arts teacher with a knife taken from the family kitchen. The teacher, who has worked at the college for 28 years, was rushed to the hospital with her life initially in danger. She underwent several surgeries, and her health condition remains worrying on Thursday, with doctors reserved about her vital prognosis.
The teenager was placed in custody after the incident and quickly confessed to investigators. He explained feeling 'hatred' toward his teacher, whom he accused of injustice for multiple warnings. Investigators noted ten incidents on his Pronote space, five from this teacher, for lateness, talking, or disrespectful remarks. 'All morning, he thought only about one thing: assassinating his arts teacher,' revealed the public prosecutor of Toulon, Raphaël Balland, during a press conference. The minor had premeditated the act, having searched online about the difference between murder and assassination days earlier. He added wanting to 'stab her so she hurts' and expressed regret as a 'moment of madness,' fearing expulsion from classes.
On Thursday, the student was charged with 'attempted murder' and placed in provisional detention, facing up to 20 years in prison. His family did not understand his actions, and no religious or political connotation has been identified at this stage. The teenager's lawyer, Me Margaux Albertini-Loiseau, noted that her client is cooperating with justice and cares about the victim's survival.
In an interview with Brut on Thursday, Emmanuel Macron offered his 'full support' to the teacher, her family, colleagues, and student witnesses. 'Teachers must not be afraid when they go to teach,' he emphasized, declining to comment on the attack's circumstances under investigation. The president urged not to 'yield' to school violence, proposing to strengthen security measures, fight against narcotics, parent sensitization, and bag checks at school entrances.
This tragedy fits into a context of rising school violence. In February 2025, the government reported a 15% increase in white weapon reports in schools. Between March and December 2025, 12,000 random checks uncovered 525 white weapons, according to Education Minister Édouard Geffray. A psychological support unit has been set up at the college for students and staff.
