Knife Attack at St. Petersburg School Leaves Teacher Seriously Injured

Photo: Designed by Freepik, https://creativecommons.org/public-domain/pdm/

Blackboard

A teenage student attacked a teacher with a knife at a school in St. Petersburg before injuring himself. The victim was a 29-year-old mathematics teacher. Two other students may also have been injured.

The incident occurred on Monday morning, December 15, at School No. 191.

Following the attack, other students were gathered in the school gymnasium to isolate them from the armed teenager. After some time, classes resumed.

Details of the Attack Revealed

According to preliminary information, the motive behind the attack may have been the teenager’s reluctance to attend additional mathematics classes arranged by his mother, who also works as a teacher at the same school. The boy reportedly struggled with mathematics despite being described as the pride of the school for his academic and athletic achievements.

Investigators were able to reconstruct the sequence of events. By prior arrangement with the teacher, the student arrived at the classroom early, at 7:10 a.m., to improve a grade on a test. When the teacher turned her back to him, he stabbed her in the back and then injured himself.

According to investigators, the woman sustained at least three stab wounds.

Both the teacher and the student were hospitalized. Following the attack, the Investigative Committee of Russia opened a criminal case on charges of attempted murder.

Knife Brought Through Metal Detectors

The knife used in the attack was taken from the student’s home kitchen. The school where the incident occurred was equipped with metal detector frames.

According to preliminary reports, the detectors were triggered by the knife, but the teenager was not stopped. Security guards did not check his bag. Other students later stated that they had also brought knives to school on occasion.

The school administration reportedly spent approximately 30 million rubles on security measures. Around 13 million rubles per year were allocated for round-the-clock security, while another 15 million rubles were spent on panic buttons and response services involving the Russian National Guard.

Parents Explain the Teenager’s Behavior

According to classmates, the boy performed well academically but had no close friends and communicated little with others. Some peers described him as a “momma’s boy.”

The boy’s mother attributed the incident to adolescence and emotional stress, according to 78.ru. It was also revealed that the day before the attack, she confiscated her son’s phone as punishment, which may have further affected his psychological state. She emphasized that the teacher herself did not provoke irritation or hostility in her son.

The boy’s father, who has lived separately for about two years, also spoke to journalists. He said that he stays in touch with his son and described him as a child who enjoys chess, checkers, and football.

“There is no filth in him at all. He is not inclined toward weapons or anything like that," the student's father said.