Student claimed he was ‘possessed by the devil’ before stabbing female teacher to death in France

The suspect allegedly proclaimed to the class, and to police, that he "heard voices" and was "possessed by the devil" before carrying out the killing.

According to Le Parisien, the incident took place around 10 am on Wedesday morning at the Saint-Thomas d'Aquin private school in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, just kilometres from the Spanish border.

The student allegedly pulled a sharp object wrapped in paper from his backpack during class and moved to the door to prevent anyone else from entering or exiting. He then removed the paper and cornered his teacher, at which point he stabbed her in the sternum. By the time first responders arrived on scene, she was in cardio-respiratory arrest. She passed away shortly after.

As France Bleu reports, many students attempted to flee the classroom while the incident took place, however those in other rooms were instructed to remain where they were. Around midday the school was evacuated, and the suspect was arrested.

The killing sent shockwaves through the nation, with officials coming out in support of the victim and her family.

"Lots of emotions following the death today of a teacher at Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin high school in Saint-Jean-de-Luz," said Education Minister Pap Ndiaye. "My thoughts are with her family, colleagues and students."

Speaking on site later Wednesday afternoon, Ndiaye declared that there would be a moment of silence in schools across France at 3 pm on Thursday to commemorate the teacher.

"It's very unexpected, given the profile of this favored establishment," added Basque Country FEP-CFDT delegate Serge Hastoy. "Nothing suggested that it could happen here. There is, to my knowledge, no precedent."

Many, including Stéphane Crochet of the UNSA teachers' union, compared the killing to that of Samuel Paty, who was stabbed an beheaded at a school outside Paris by a student after he dared to show pictures of Mohammad in class. Law enforcement have noted, however, that Wednesday's incident does not appear to be terror-related.

The suspect is in custody, and a murder investigation has been opened.