Shocking Attack on Teacher in Benfeld Leaves Community in Disbelief

On September 24, 2025, a 14-year-old student attacked his 66-year-old music teacher at the Robert-Schuman college in Benfeld, near Strasbourg, injuring her in the face. While the teacher's injuries are serious, they are not life-threatening, and she is expected to recover. The incident took place in the morning and left the small community of approximately 6,000 residents grappling with shock, given the area's reputation as a safe environment.

According to local reports, the assailant fled the scene following the attack but was quickly apprehended by the gendarmerie on a nearby road. During his arrest, he inflicted knife wounds on himself, placing his own life in jeopardy without posing a direct threat to the officers involved. The prosecutor of Strasbourg, Clarisse Taron, further indicated that the boy had a troubled history, having been raised in foster care, and was under psychiatric care at the time of the incident. His background reportedly includes a fascination with Nazi ideology and weapons, contributing to concerns about his mental state prior to the assault.

Witnesses, including former students of the school, expressed their disbelief at the event, highlighting that the college had previously been seen as problem-free. Nayma and Selma, former students present during the attack, reflected on the generally peaceful atmosphere of the college, underscoring the shocking nature of the violence that unfolded. The community is now left to process this unexpected event that has marred its reputation—an incident that schools across France and beyond will likely examine closely in the context of student safety and mental health resources.