French Teenager Stabbed 15-Year-Old Female Classmate 'Who He Knew Well' More Than 40 Times

French police stands in front of the Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides school after one high school student was killed and other students injured in a school stabbing, in Nantes, France, April 24, 2025.

A 16-year-old boy, identified only as Justin P., has been arrested after killing a 15-year-old girl and injuring three other students in a brutal knife attack at a high school in Nantes, France. The horrific assault, which took place at the Notre-Dame de Toutes-Aides college on Thursday, has shocked the local community and the nation.

Justin P. singled out his victim, Lorène, a fellow student, during the midday break. According to investigators, he entered a classroom looking for her before isolating her near a second-floor restroom. Once alone, Justin P. repeatedly stabbed Lorène, at least 40 times. Despite her screams for help, she succumbed to her injuries at the scene.

French police secure the area near the Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides high school following the stabbing on Thursday

The attack continued as Justin P. moved to another classroom, where he used two knives, including a hunting knife, to stab three other students—two boys and one girl. One of the boys was stabbed approximately ten times, while another was wounded in the shoulder. The girl was attacked from behind. At this point, the school's information technology manager managed to restrain Justin P., holding him until police arrived. The assailant, dressed in black with a balaclava, helmet, and goggles, reportedly shouted, "Shoot me in the head," before being arrested at gunpoint.

Prior to the attacks, Justin P. had sent an email to all 2,000 students at the school, expressing grievances about "ecological destruction" and "social alienation." He also made disturbing remarks about taking action, stating, "I'm fed up, I'm going to take action in a week." Additionally, he had been summoned by school officials the previous week for producing drawings filled with swastikas that glorified Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich. Fellow students reported that he had told them of his plans to take action soon.

A woman leaves flowers at the entrance of Notre-Dame de Toutes-Aides high school

After his arrest, Justin P. was placed in a secure psychiatric unit as authorities deemed his mental state incompatible with custody. A psychiatric evaluation confirmed the seriousness of his condition. Nantes prosecutors stated that there was no indication of terrorist motivations behind the attack, and Justin P. had no prior criminal record.

The teen is said to have stabbed his principal victim around 40 teams

The attack has raised concerns about the rising levels of violence among certain segments of youth in France. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his sorrow on social media, offering condolences to the victims' families and praising the bravery of the school's teachers, who intervened to prevent further bloodshed. French Prime Minister François Bayrou also condemned the violence, calling for a deeper reflection on the state of education and respect for life in the country.

This tragedy follows other recent school knife attacks in France, including the October 2023 murder of a teacher in Arras and the 2020 beheading of Samuel Paty. However, authorities have clarified that Justin P.'s actions do not appear to be linked to Islamist terrorism.

Teachers managed to restrain the boy before police arrived at the scene and overpowered him. The attacker has since been arrested