French student arrested after stabbing attack leaves 1 dead, 3 injured at private Catholic school

French police arrested a student Thursday after he allegedly killed another student and injured three others in a stabbing attack at his private Catholic school. 

The 15-year-old attacker was overpowered by teachers at the Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides High School in Nantes before police arrived, a law enforcement spokesperson told Reuters. 

“A knife attack took place this afternoon at a private school in Nantes,” Education Minister Elisabeth Borne wrote on X. “I am going there with [Interior Minister] Bruno Retailleau to express my solidarity with the victims and my support for the educational community.” 

The student stabbed four students with a knife during a lunch break, according to the Associated Press. 

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Police told Reuters that there was nothing to indicate a terrorist motive. 

Students at the school told French media at the scene that they had received an email from the assailant earlier in the day with unspecified grievances. 

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The attacker was dressed in all black clothing and wore a helmet and balaclava, Reuters also reported, citing local newspaper Ouest France. 

Photos taken near the school showed a heavy security presence Thursday. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.