Fatal Stabbing Near Essonne High School Highlights Youth Gang Violence
The death of a 17-year-old during a gang-related confrontation has led to arrests, increased security, and renewed calls for juvenile justice reform in France.
- Sékou, a 17-year-old from the Hautes-Mardelles neighborhood in Brunoy, was fatally stabbed near Louis-Armand High School in Yerres on March 24, 2025.
- The attack involved 15-20 individuals and stemmed from an ongoing rivalry between gangs from Hautes-Mardelles and Tournelles neighborhoods.
- Six suspects have been arrested, and an investigation for voluntary homicide and group violence is underway.
- Police presence around the school has been heightened to prevent potential retaliatory violence, with local officials urging calm.
- The incident has reignited national debates on youth violence, the effectiveness of France's juvenile justice system, and the socio-economic factors driving gang conflicts in Essonne.
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