Théo, a 20-year-old student living in Lyon’s 7th arrondissement, has been forced to abandon his student accommodation following a series of violent assaults by the same group of teenagers. The case underlines growing impunity for violent youth offenders, who cannot be tried as adults.
The most recent attack on Jan. 31, which took place in his building’s lobby, was so severe that authorities believe Théo is lucky to be alive. The incident was caught on surveillance camera.
His mother, Florence, spoke to French news outlet Le Figaro about the trauma and the impunity of the underage perpetrators.
🇫🇷🔴A youth gang severely beat French student, Théo, in Lyon’s 7th arrondissement. He has now been forced to flee his student housing, while his mother says the police are doing little to help despite 3 separate attacks.
The most recent attack on Jan. 31, which took place in his… pic.twitter.com/sbTOPFKwF5
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) February 5, 2026“The police arrested them, but they were all released because they are minors. We ourselves, as we were leaving the police station, came face to face with my son’s attacker. He’s known for 25 different offenses, including torture,” she said.
She further questioned why her son’s life must be upended by the circumstances of others:
“I’m told that his attackers come from troubled families. That their parents are overwhelmed. But is it up to me to deal with the consequences of that? My son is going to have to change his way of life for children aged 14 to 16 that no one wants to take care of. That’s the reality.”
The Jan. 31 incident was the third time the group, aged 14 to 16, targeted Théo in less than six months. Security footage captured the student being thrown to the ground and repeatedly kicked and punched in the head and body. He suffered a head injury and was prescribed 10 days of sick leave.
The harassment began in August when a boy attempted to steal Théo’s helmet. When Théo fought back, five other suspects emerged to beat him. Months later, while riding a scooter he purchased specifically to avoid walking alone, he encountered the same group. They threatened his life, saying, “Give me your phone or you’re dead,” according to Florence.
Regarding the most recent ambush, Florence noted:
“That’s when we saw them pull up their hoods as they saw my son arrive. So they were waiting for him, and it was premeditated. The police told me, ‘If he hadn’t managed to get into the building, he would be dead.’ For now, the youths have been arrested for aggravated robbery, but for me, it’s attempted murder.”
Five suspects were eventually apprehended, all allegedly part of a gang terrorizing the Girondins neighborhood. According to Actu Lyon, the youth gang is thought to be involved in at least 13 different violent robberies. Despite their arrests, Florence claims the legal response has been insufficient because of their age.
“What are we waiting for to wake up? A silent march? I’d like us to wake up sooner! The first attack happened five months ago. What does that mean? That next July I’ll be at my son’s funeral saying, ‘I warned you!’?”
Théo has since moved back to his parents’ home and has been unable to return to school or his student job. While he recovers, his attackers continue to benefit from the theft.
“Meanwhile, these kids still have his phone. They used his card to eat at McDonald’s and Burger King right after the attack. They’re ordering Uber Eats with his meal vouchers,” Florence added.
Authorities in the 7th arrondissement acknowledged the group has been a known problem. Vincent Monot, the Green Party councilor in charge of public safety, previously stated: “These are minors, so there has been a legal response appropriate to their age. Unfortunately, for some, this doesn’t seem to be a deterrent.”
The Rhône prefecture confirmed that a specific meeting between the prefect and the police took place at the end of 2025 to address the rising unrest in the area.
