On the morning of October 13, 2023, in Arras, France, a crime unfolded at the City School Gambetta-Carnot. As a result, a teacher lost his life, while another teacher and a security personnel suffered grave injuries due to a knife attack.
The person behind the violent act was a 20-year-old man of Russian nationality with Chechen heritage, Mohammed Mogouchkov. He was previously a student at the school. Prior to the incident, he had been on the radar of intelligence units since the summer, following suspicions surrounding his extremist tendencies.
Students present at the scene provided their narratives of the incident. They described a distressing scene where the man was seen with two knives, appearing to target a teacher, later confirmed as Dominique Bernard, 57. Despite the looming danger, Mr. Bernard exhibited considerable courage, positioning himself to protect his students and guiding them to move away.
During the fight, a few students have reported hearing the attacker say “Allahu Akbar.” This claim is presently being investigated by the police for accuracy. Reacting to the immediate threat, the school’s administration implemented a lockdown, causing many apprehensive parents to gather outside the school.
Updating on the situation, Gerald Darmanin, the French Interior Minister, mentioned that the suspect was apprehended during a police action at the school. The incident’s gravity is further underscored by the involvement of the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office, which is examining potential terror-related connections. Mogouchkov’s 16-year-old brother has also been arrested.
The incident has emerged in the backdrop of President Emmanuel Macron’s recent appeal to French citizens. He stressed the need for maintaining national unity and avoiding entanglement with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It’s notable that this event occurred around the same time as an appeal by the former Hamas chief, Khaled Meshaal, promoting a “day of Jihad” and advocating for protests.
A crisis management team has been set up by the authorities. Provisions have been made to offer psychological support to the students and staff members impacted by the event. The public has also been advised to act with caution and avoid sharing distressing images related to the incident.
