A 15-year-old student fatally stabbed a fellow pupil and injured three others in a brutal midday attack at the Notre-Dame-de-Toutes-Aides Catholic school in Nantes, western France, on Thursday, according to police.

The fatal victim, reportedly a girl, died at the scene, while the three injured—believed to be male students—were taken to hospital. Authorities have not yet publicly confirmed the identities or exact ages of the victims.

The teenage suspect was restrained by school staff before police arrived and took him into custody. Officials have stated there is currently no indication that the attack was terrorism-related.

Following the incident, students were kept inside the school for several hours as police secured the area. Worried parents gathered outside the gates, awaiting news. “We just want to hold our children and help them process the trauma,” said one parent, Nicolas.

One student who knew the attacker told reporters that he had previously voiced alarming views, including sympathies for Nazi ideology. “He spoke about Hitler and Nazism—at the time, we thought he was joking,” she said.

She also claimed that shortly before the attack, the boy sent an email to the entire school community. French media have published excerpts from the message, describing it as focused on environmental and anti-globalisation themes, with no direct threats or mention of violence.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, speaking in Nantes, avoided speculating about the suspect’s motivations but linked the act to what he called a “climate of laxism” in society. “A lack of order and discipline contributes to this kind of violence,” he said.

However, Nantes Mayor Johanna Rolland urged restraint and warned against using the tragedy for political purposes. “We must address the mental health crisis among our youth,” she said.

The local prosecutor is scheduled to hold a press conference on Friday to provide further updates on the investigation, which remains ongoing.