Knife attack at school in Bistrița: 13-year-old pupil faces no criminal charges
A seventh-grade pupil attacked a teacher and several children in Bistrița, equipped with a military helmet, balaclava and penknife. Prosecutors confirm premeditation, but the attacker cannot face criminal prosecution.
13-year-old attacker in Bistrița: premeditation confirmed, no criminal liability
ProTV reports that a 13-year-old minor, a seventh-grade pupil at a secondary school in Bistrița municipality, cannot face criminal prosecution following a knife attack committed on 19 October 2026. Adrian Briciu, chief prosecutor at the Bistrița-Năsăud Court, declared on Tuesday that the pupil has not yet been questioned, nor have his parents.
How the attack was planned
According to prosecutor Briciu, the minor arrived at school on the morning of the attack, around 8.00–8.30, with a rucksack in which he was hiding a military-type helmet, a balaclava, gloves and a penknife. Before acting, he went to the toilet where he equipped himself, leaving behind messages written in English on the tiles and on the toilet bowl, as well as "extremist symbols, legionary-extremist, far-right", according to the prosecutor's statements.
The initial target was a sixth-grade pupil from the same school, whom the aggressor considered to be of Indian origin, "most likely due to the darker colour of his skin", Briciu explained.
How the attack unfolded
Equipped and prepared, the minor headed towards the classroom of the targeted pupil. At the door he was met by a teacher, whom he attacked and struck multiple times. The assault on the teacher ended only when another pupil intervened.
"The attacker succeeded in entering the classroom, headed towards the targeted pupil, and before reaching him another pupil intervened in the aid of the targeted pupil. At that moment, the pupil who had intervened to help was struck with the knife in the head area. In the same circumstances, the attacker also succeeded in striking the targeted pupil with the knife in the back area, causing him a superficial injury", declared the prosecutor.
"He did not appear to be an affected person"
Prosecutor Briciu stressed that premeditation is proven by the preparations made at home — the mask, gloves and military helmet. At the same time, the minor's attitude after committing the act raised questions: "He did not show any sign of regretting the act. He did not appear to be an affected person, I do not know to what extent he is aware", Briciu stated.
No criminal measures, case referred to child protection
Since the attacker had not reached the age of criminal responsibility, prosecutors cannot take action in this regard. "From a criminal perspective, no measures can be taken, because he is not criminally responsible and the measures that could be taken exceed our competence. They can be taken by the Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection, through specialised supervision measures", the chief prosecutor clarified.
The minor's questioning had not taken place at the time of the statements. His father is outside the country, and his mother is with him at a hospital in Cluj.
Source: Știrile ProTV