gunshot, knife attack in front of the school… what we know about the violent argument between the parents of a student in Gard

Argument, mother threatened with a knife and gunshot fired by grandfather: Thursday, November 7, an altercation between the parents of a student degenerated into a “scene of apocalyptic violence” at the exit of the primary school in Saint-Florent-sur-Auzonnet (Gard). This Friday, a psychological unit is set up. Here's what we know.

By the own admission of the public prosecutor of Alès Abdelkrim Grini, whom we joined yesterday evening, the scene which took place Thursday under the eyes of parents and students at the exit of the Antoine de primary school Saint-Exupéry of Saint-Florent-sur-Auzonnet (Gard) was of a “near-apocalyptic violence“. An argument between a woman and her ex-partner who came to pick up their child apparently degenerated.

The man allegedly pulled out a knife to threaten the mother. The latter's cries then attracted the attention of other parents who tried to intervene. It was then that the child's maternal grandfather, who witnessed the scene from his car, intervened, grabbing his 22 long rifle and firing in the direction of the knife bearer. The bullet stuck in the school gate.

People were screaming, you can imagine the almost apocalyptic scene in front of the school!

Abdelkrim Grini

Public Prosecutor of Alès

At the time of the events, around 4:25 p.m., the students were confined in their classes, as evidenced by Eric Burcia, pretired school teacher and municipal councilor, present for an intervention in the school at the time of the events.

We made the children safe in the classrooms, by closing the electric shutters so that they had no outside vision and we ensured that no one was potentially in danger.

Eric Burcia

Retired school teacher and municipal councilor

The mother's former partner then fled before being arrested. He was wanted for violence committed against her a few months ago, and for which she had filed a complaint, according to prosecutor Grini. The latter, shocked, was hospitalized in Alès.

According to our information, this individual waited for his ex-partner in front of his workplace that same morning, before following her throughout the day. She then called for help from her father, the child's maternal grandfather, hence the latter's presence in front of the school.

A grandfather who was also apprehended by the police. The two men were still in police custody this Friday morning the day after the events. The hearing of witnesses will continue until this evening.

This Friday morning, a medical-psychological assistance unit was set up at the school by National Education and the town hall, for children and witnesses to this scene of violence.

Written with Dalila Iberrakène and Romain Perich.