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French Teen Linked to Online Extremist Network After School Shooting

A 14-year-old student in Aubagne allegedly shot a principal and teacher, prompting anti-terror prosecutors to investigate ties to the True Crime Community.

Sources: Le Dauphiné Libéré, Le HuffPost, RFI English3 sources ↓|· 1 min read
French Teen Linked to Online Extremist Network After School Shooting
Photo: Le HuffPost

KEY POINTS

  • 14-year-old student shot principal and teacher at Aubagne middle school on Monday
  • Anti-terror prosecutors (Pnat) took over case citing link to True Crime Community
  • First time French authorities directly connect an attack to TCC ideology
  • TCC originated from 1999 Columbine shooting; active in France for ~15 years
  • Suspect's custody extended 24 hours; father's hunting rifle used in attack

A 14-year-old student opened fire with a hunting rifle at the Joseph-Lakanal middle school in Aubagne on Monday, wounding the principal and a teacher. The suspect's father legally owned the weapon used in the attack.

The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (Pnat) seized the case Tuesday, citing the suspect's probable adherence to the True Crime Community (TCC). This marks the first time French authorities have directly linked a violent act to this specific online movement.

“The goal for TCC actors is to place themselves in the lineage of past attacks, to join this private club, and to have a status within the community.”

— Alexandre Rodde, terrorism researcher

Researchers describe TCC as a nihilist violent extremism ecosystem originating from the 1999 Columbine massacre. The decentralized network glorifies mass shooters and circulates violent content on platforms like Discord and formerly Tumblr.

The phenomenon has been identified in France for approximately 15 years and is predominantly male. Recent reports associate it with masculinist or ultra-right ideologies, though the movement lacks a formal structure or leadership.

The suspect's police custody was extended by 24 hours on Tuesday as investigators examine his digital footprint and potential accomplices within the online community.

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