At least four children dead in attack at school in Brazil: man with ax storms kindergarten in Blumenau
- A 25-year-old man was arrested after turning himself in after the attack
Four children have been killed after an ax-wielding man climbed the wall of a childcare center in Brazil and carried out a shocking attack before turning himself in to police.
Local media reports that the 25-year-old man arrived on a motorcycle at the kindergarten in Blumenau, southern Brazil, before going on a horrific rampage and attacking the children who were in a park behind the school.
A fifth child is said to be in serious condition, while three other victims have been taken to Santo Antonio Hospital.
The hospital confirmed that children between the ages of ‘zero and two years old’ have arrived for treatment.
The tragic attack took place around 9 a.m. local time (12 a.m. Dutch time) at the CEI Cantinho do Bom Pastor kindergarten in the Velha district of Blumenau.
Four children have been killed after a man climbed the wall of a nursery with an ax and carried out a shocking attack in Brazil before turning himself in. Pictured: the site of the attack
The 25-year-old man arrived at the kindergarten in Blumenau, southern Brazil, on a motorcycle before going on a rampage. Pictured: Police speaking to the public outside the school
As emergency services rushed to the scene, the perpetrator was arrested shortly after the attack after turning himself in to the police.
Footage broadcast on television showed crying parents outside the private daycare, known as the Good Shepherd Center, as motorists ran through red lights to get to the scene.
Governor Jorginho Mello acknowledged the tragedy and expressed his condolences in a statement: “It is with great sadness that I receive the regrettable news that the private daycare center Cantinho do Bom Pastor, in Blumenau, has been raided by an assassin who attacked children and staff. .
Unfortunately, four have died. I immediately ordered the action of our security forces, who are already on the scene. The killer has already been arrested.
“I leave here my full solidarity. May God comfort the hearts of all families in this moment of deep pain.”
He declared three days of mourning in the state for the “terrible” attack.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also condemned the attack as a “monstrosity”.
“There is no greater pain than a family losing children or grandchildren, especially when it comes to violence against innocent and defenseless children,” he wrote on Twitter.
The man was arrested by Brazilian police after turning himself in following today’s attack. In the photo: emergency services on site
The tragic attack took place at the Centro de Educacao Infantil Cantinho do Bom Pastor kindergarten
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims… For any human being who has the Christian feeling, a tragedy like this is unacceptable, a behavior, an absurd act of hatred and cowardice like this.”
The State Board of Criminal Investigations has confirmed it will lead the investigation into the savage attack.
Violence in schools has been on the rise in Brazil in recent years. Last week, a 13-year-old boy killed a teacher in a knife attack at a school in Sao Paulo.
In November, a 16-year-old gunman killed four people and wounded more than 10 others in twin attacks on two schools in the southeastern city of Aracruz, Espirito Santo state.
In 2019, two former students shot and killed eight people at a high school in Suzano, outside Sao Paulo, and then took their own lives.
The deadliest school shooting in the country killed 12 children in 2011 when a man opened fire at his former primary school in Realengo, a suburb of Rio de Janeiro, and then killed himself.