Story highlights French Education Minister: Student was an "unstable young man fascinated by weapons"

Mayor: This is a very difficult moment for the city of Grasse

(CNN) A 17-year-old student has been arrested after a shooting at a high school in Grasse, in southeastern France, authorities said Thursday.

The principal and three students were physically injured in the shooting, according to Education Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem. Several others were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries and counseling, she said.

The student, armed with a rifle, a handgun, a revolver and two grenades, entered the Alexis de Tocqueville school at about lunchtime and opened fire at the head teacher, CNN's French affiliate BFMTV reported.

The shooting was an "act of madness by an unstable young man fascinated by weapons," Vallaud-Belkacem said.

The mayor of Grasse, Jérôme Viaud, told reporters that he knew the family of the young man.

Read More