A middle school student in Chelyabinsk, Russia, attacked several classmates and a teacher with a hammer, leaving four people injured.
The attack took place at School No. 68 on Monday morning, and law enforcement authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the incident, classifying it as attempted murder and negligence.
“The student, a 13-year-old boy, used various objects, including a hammer, to harm his peers and a teacher, ” Russia’s Investigative Committee, which probes major crimes, confirmed in a statement on Monday.
The victims, consisting of two girls, one boy, and a teacher, were promptly hospitalised.
The Health Ministry has confirmed that the condition of all four victims is stable and that they are receiving the necessary medical care.
The Governor of the Chelyabinsk region, Alexei Teksler, expressed concern over how the student was able to bring a hammer into the school and questioned the lack of response from the security personnel.
Following the attack, the governor has instructed all schools in the region to undergo security checks to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The student responsible for the attack also injured himself and was detained by the Russian National Guard after the school’s staff contacted law enforcement. The motive behind the attack is still unknown, and investigations are ongoing.
Local authorities, including the mayor, prosecutor, and children’s rights commissioner, are actively working at the scene.
The prosecutor’s office is conducting an inquiry into the school’s security measures and compliance with permit regulations.
Meanwhile, the Investigative Committee has initiated criminal proceedings, focusing on the potential negligence that may have contributed to the incident.
Authorities have announced that all schools in the Chelyabinsk Region will be inspected to identify signs of aggressive behaviour among students and to strengthen security protocols to ensure the safety of pupils and staff.