LILLE — A 14-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of a teaching assistant during a bag check at a school in Nogent, eastern France. The victim, a 31-year-old mother named Melanie, was fatally stabbed by the teen, who reportedly planned the attack after being reprimanded for kissing his girlfriend at school.

The teen confessed to targeting any monitor and admitted he intended to kill. Authorities say he showed no remorse and used the largest knife at home to "cause the most damage." He now faces up to 20 years in prison.

Schools across France observed a minute of silence in tribute. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the growing violence among youth and pushed for stricter controls, including a proposed social media ban for those under 15. The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for action against knife crime in schools.