Brazilian Police Kill Suspect in School Hostage Situation
Authorities neutralized a man who held at least 13 children and staffers at knifepoint for two hours.
Brazilian police killed a suspect on Thursday who had held at least 13 children and staffers at knifepoint in a school in the southern city of Curitiba. None of the hostages were injured.
The man broke into a classroom at the CMEI Sao Braz school and held the group for approximately two hours, according to a police spokeswoman. The suspect also threatened to pour gasoline on himself and others, she said. Police negotiators were on site, but authorities stated they saw no alternative but to neutralize the suspect.
The incident occurred in the Sao Braz neighborhood of Curitiba, a city of 1.8 million residents located about 248 miles south of Sao Paulo. Local media broadcast footage of distressed parents gathered outside the school while negotiations were underway. Shortly after two explosions were heard, police officers emerged carrying some of the children to safety.
The Curitiba city hall announced that the children and school staffers involved will be provided with psychological support following the event. Details regarding how the suspect was killed or the ages of the children were not immediately disclosed.