Rome – In an attack on a teacher in Rome on Friday, September 18, a 13-year-old student injured a 66-year-old teacher. The incident occurred in the morning at the Giovanni Verga Middle School in the eastern district of Centocelle. After receiving treatment at the hospital, the woman was discharged the same day; her injuries were not life-threatening.
According to the current status of the investigation, the teenager entered the classroom around 9:20 a.m., sprayed pepper spray in the Italian teacher’s face, and then attacked her with a knife. The blade is said to have been about 20 centimeters long. The woman sustained three injuries to her upper body. A classmate intervened, took the knife from the attacker, and prevented further stabbings. Carabinieri from the Roma Centocelle station and emergency medical services were alerted via the 112 emergency number.
Attack on a Teacher in Rome: Investigators Are Looking Into the Planning
Investigators are following up on leads suggesting that the student may have planned the crime and attempted to livestream it via a video call. Items seized include a cell phone and camera equipment. A countdown posted on social media is also being examined. It remains unclear whether online content influenced the teenager, and the exact motive has not yet been determined.
A conflict at school is believed to be a possible trigger: The student was scheduled to take an exam that day to make up for a failed course. However, there is no official confirmation of this connection. The Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office has been notified. Since the boy is not yet 14 years old, he is not criminally liable under Italian law. Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara and representatives of the City of Rome expressed their solidarity with the injured teacher and the school community.
