After School Supervisor’s Murder in Nogent, François Bayrou Announces Immediate Measures Against Bladed Weapons

Just hours after the tragic death of Mélanie G., 31, who was fatally stabbed by a 14-year-old student outside the Françoise-Dolto middle school in Nogent (Haute-Marne), Prime Minister François Bayrou spoke publicly to announce a series of urgent measures aimed at curbing the spread of bladed weapons among minors.

“We are clearly facing an epidemic,” said the head of government on TF1, emphasizing the need to act both on the circulation of weapons and on preventing violent acts. The attack occurred on Tuesday morning during a routine bag search at the school entrance, conducted in the presence of gendarmes. The suspect, previously unknown to police, was immediately apprehended.

Immediate Ban on Knife Sales to Minors

Bayrou announced that the sale of all knives that could be used as weapons will be immediately banned for minors. Until now, only daggers were explicitly prohibited. The ban will also extend to online purchases: age verification will be required upon delivery, with an adult’s signature needed to receive the package. “A 15-year-old will no longer be able to buy a knife online,” President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on France 2 shortly after.

Pilot Program for Security Gates in Schools

Acknowledging the rise in school violence, the Prime Minister also expressed support for piloting security gates in certain schools deemed at risk, similar to those found in airports. However, he acknowledged the logistical challenges, such as potential crowding at school entrances, that could arise from such measures.

Speaking about the Nogent incident, Bayrou noted that gendarmes were already present and conducting checks at the time of the attack, suggesting that video surveillance would not have prevented the tragedy in this specific context. “We’re talking about a school with just 320 students—a very familiar environment—and a student with no apparent warning signs.”

A Call for Collective Awareness

Bayrou emphasized that these measures must be accompanied by a cultural shift, urging society to internalize the message that carrying a knife is dangerous—even for the one carrying it. He called for shared responsibility between schools, families, and the broader public in confronting a phenomenon that is becoming alarmingly common.