In a tragic incident in Brazil, a 13-year-old boy fatally shot two female staff members at the São José Institute, a junior high school in Rio Branco, causing multiple injuries. Panicked students were witnessed fleeing into a classroom or climbing over a 20-foot wall to escape the gunshots.
The teenage suspect, who confessed to the attack according to the Acre government, has been apprehended by the police. It remains unknown whether he was a current student at the school. Two staff members lost their lives at the scene, while a third staff member and a student sustained injuries and were promptly taken to the hospital for treatment.
Eduardo Rodrigues Cavalcante, a receptionist at a nearby hotel, observed several students attempting to climb over a wall between the buildings for safety. He noted that only one person successfully made it over the wall to seek refuge at the hotel, while others were stranded on the school roof trying to flee.
The suspect’s legal guardian, who allegedly owned the firearm used in the attack, was also arrested by authorities. Governor Mailza Assis expressed solidarity with the victims’ families, the school community, and all affected education professionals.
Following the incident, the Acre government announced a three-day suspension of classes in all schools statewide. Psychological support teams have been deployed to assist students and teachers during this challenging time. An ongoing investigation by Acre police is underway to uncover further details.
Brazil has witnessed a concerning surge in school-related attacks in recent years. Previous incidents include a school shooting in Ceara where two teenagers were killed, a fatal shooting in Sao Paulo involving a 17-year-old student, and a devastating axe attack at a daycare center in Santa Catarina resulting in the deaths of four young children aged between 3 and 7.
