As an American who lives in France, I often hear disparaging remarks about life in the United States. Violence there is supposedly endemic; and American teens are particularly alienated because society offers them only consumer culture.

I’ve grown used to these remarks. There’s more than a little truth to them. But what intrigues me is this: Americans seem to gaze at violence in fascinated horror, whereas French people seem to avert their eyes, not wanting to see what’s in front of them.

A French middle school student, age 13, was indicted today for attempted murder.

On Tuesday, the youngster walked a few kilometers from his home, in Allone, to his school, the Institution du Saint-Esprit, a parochial school in Beauvais, about an hour north of Paris.


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He carried a hunting rifle –his dad’s– and 25 cartridges, and he wanted to stop a parent-teacher meeting from taking place. This strategy reportedly involved the murder of several teachers. In any event, when the boy reached his school, he noticed a police presence, then was apprehended.

If convicted, the youngster –whose name cannot be released to the public but who can be sentenced as an adult– could serve up to 20 years in prison.

The French media have reported the incident. They have branded as probable causes:

  • Computers. The boy had a blog. (A blog!) He wrote: “This is the last day of my life” on Tuesday, which reportedly made the authorities suspect and take seriously a possibility of violence.
  • Video games. The boy loved them and played them often.
  • Rap music. The boy reportedly was partial to rap.

The media also take pains to point out that the boy –and his family– were quiet and law-abiding, “not known to the police”. The boy was actually a good student.