Lyon: two high school students arrested after mortar shelling targeted a high school in the 8th arrondissement

Europe 1 with AFP // Photo credit: Jeff PACHOUD / AFP 18:13 p.m., November 10, 2023

Two high school students were arrested on Friday in Lyon after mortars were fired at a high school in the 8th arrondissement, targeted by a group of a dozen people, without causing any injuries, police and academic sources said. The two people arrested were "identified as students and took part in the action," police told AFP. The group of "hooded youths", according to the rectorate, set fire to rubbish bins and launched "some mortar fire". The incidents took place around 07:30 a.m.

"The authority of the School is being challenged"

An investigation has been opened for "aggravated violence, damage by dangerous means," the Lyon prosecutor's office told AFP. In an email sent to the parents of pupils, revealed by the website Actu Lyon, the principal believes that he was "expressly" targeted by "a violent attack". "Absolute support to the principal, to the educational community of Lyon and to all the agents of the National Education," reacted on X (formerly Twitter) the Minister of Education Gabriel Attal, for whom "the authority of the School (...) is challenged here."

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The environmentalist mayor of Lyon, Grégory Doucet, has asked for police patrols to be set up around the establishment for the next few days, according to a post on X by his deputy in charge of security, Mohamed Chihi. "The Rector strongly condemns these events, which have seriously endangered the safety of students and staff of the school, and offers his support to the entire educational community. No violence against the school of the Republic can be tolerated," the rectorate also commented in a statement.