OMM Newsroom
A 14-year-old boy who fired a hunting rifle at a school in southern France admitted carrying out the shooting but denied intending to kill anyone, Le Parisien reported Wednesday.
The teenager told investigators he had planned the attack for several months and acted out of a desire for revenge over alleged harassment by teachers and classmates, according to the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office. Investigators have so far found no evidence supporting the harassment claims.
The prosecutor’s office took over the case on Tuesday over suspected links between the teenager and the “True Crime Community”, an online subculture focused on real-life crimes.
In a statement Wednesday, the office said an analysis of seized digital media showed the suspect had used numerous accounts on ProtonMail, Discord, Snapchat and TikTok. An initial review suggested he was likely a member of the community, including an account used exclusively to repost extremely violent content related to it, particularly material about school shootings.
The teenager acknowledged being influenced by the community but denied carrying out the shooting in its name, prosecutors said.
He faces a judicial investigation on suspicion of attempted murder linked to a terrorist enterprise, terrorist conspiracy to commit crimes against people, and the unlawful possession and transport of weapons and ammunition. Prosecutors have requested his pretrial detention.
Two people injured in Aubagne shooting
The shooting took place at about 9:30 a.m. on Monday at Lakanal middle school in Aubagne, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department.
The teenager allegedly fired a hunting rifle, injuring the school principal and a teacher before a senior education adviser disarmed him. He was arrested shortly afterwards.
His parents were also taken into custody later on Monday as investigators sought to establish how he obtained the weapon, Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said during a visit to the school.
The school remained closed on Tuesday. More than 200 people attended a gathering that evening in support of its educational staff.
