Violent Incidents Shake Schools Near Lyon: Assaults Lead to Arrests and Legal Action

Two separate violent incidents involving young students have recently emerged in schools near Lyon, prompting legal action and community concern.

In Saint-Genis-Laval near Lyon, two 14-year-old girls were arrested for assaulting a 13-year-old student outside the Jean-Giono college on January 30. The attack was severe and filmed, with footage shared online showing a girl kicking the victim in the head, causing her to lose consciousness. The victim was hospitalized and is now recovering at home. The Lyon prosecutor's office confirmed the arrests and opened an investigation into aggravated violence and the dissemination of images related to the assault. Authorities noted one of the accused and her family had prior negative interactions with police. The mayor of Saint-Genis-Laval, Marylène Millet, condemned the violence and emphasized the need for proportionate sanctions. Additionally, a student linked to the incident faces precautionary measures pending disciplinary review.

Separately, in Sanary-sur-Mer, a 14-year-old student was placed in provisional detention and charged with attempted murder after stabbing his art teacher. The incident occurred at a local college, and the minor confessed to investigators, citing feelings of "hatred" towards his teacher. Prosecutor Raphaël Balland stated the juvenile faces up to 20 years of imprisonment as the judicial process moves forward.

Both cases highlight growing concerns over youth violence in educational environments, with officials mobilizing to combat such trends. The prefect of Rhône, Fabienne Buccio, praised the gendarmes involved in the investigation near Lyon, underscoring the state's commitment to fighting school violence.

These developments come amid intensified efforts to ensure student safety and uphold discipline, further amplified by the visible circulation of violent content via social media in the Saint-Genis-Laval case. Families of victims have joined legal proceedings to seek justice, reflecting the serious social and legal implications of these incidents.