One Dead, Two Injured in Polish School Attack; PM Cites Video Games for Violence
A 15-year-old former pupil fatally stabbed a caretaker at a primary school, the second such incident in two days.
One person died and two others were injured in a knife attack carried out by a 15-year-old former student at a Polish primary school on Thursday. The victim was identified as a 37-year-old female caretaker at the school in Leszczydol-Nowiny, located northeast of Warsaw. The attack occurred around 8 a.m. local time.
Authorities stated that the two injured individuals' lives were not in danger. The head teacher, Krzysztof Ochmanski, reported that he intervened after hearing a scream and was subsequently wounded by the attacker, who was carrying three knives. Ochmanski managed to restrain the assailant before police arrived.
The attacker, described as a former pupil of the primary school and currently a student at a vocational school, was apprehended and seen being placed in a police van. His motives remain unclear.
This incident follows a similar attack on Wednesday, where a 19-year-old wounded 10 people, including himself, at another school in Ostroleka, northeastern Poland. The suspect in that case, identified as Jakub Z., was arrested after fleeing the scene and was reportedly injured from self-mutilation.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk suggested that social media and video games contribute to a "cult of violence" influencing adolescents. "Teenagers have fallen under the influence of the internet, video games, and content that promotes pure violence," Tusk stated at a press conference, adding that this phenomenon has reached Poland. He called an emergency government meeting following the events.
Police have noted a trend of younger offenders involved in serious crimes across Europe. Inspector Katarzyna Nowak, director of communications for national police, commented on recent arrests in Poland of teenagers preparing to carry out attacks, acknowledging it as a significant societal issue.
In the Wednesday incident in Ostroleka, the suspect, Jakub Z., was detained by police who found two knives in his possession after being alerted by teachers. Data from his electronic devices indicated he had searched for information on how to orchestrate violent events. The attack at the Vocational School Complex No. 4 injured five students, two teachers, and two passersby. One person sustained serious injuries, and some victims were airlifted to a hospital.
