Thirteen-year-old student attacks teacher at school in Rome

On the morning of Friday, September 18, 2026, a 13-year-old student attacked his teacher at the Giovanni Verga middle school in the Collatino district of Rome, Italy. Shortly after classes began, the student sprayed the teacher in the face with pepper spray before proceeding to stab her. The victim was transported to the Vannini hospital; medical reports indicate she is in a state of shock but her injuries are not life-threatening.

The assailant attempted to film the assault on his mobile phone with the intention of broadcasting the incident live on the Telegram platform. However, fellow students intervened and managed to disarm him before he could complete the transmission. Local Carabinieri forces from the Centocelle station arrived at the scene shortly after the incident to take the perpetrator into custody and initiate an investigation.

This incident adds to a series of violent events in Italian schools, despite government efforts to enhance safety, such as the installation of metal detectors at some educational facilities. Authorities are currently investigating the specific motives of the student and the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.