A tragic incident unfolded at São José Institute, a junior high school in Rio Branco, Brazil, where a 13-year-old boy fatally shot two female staff members and injured others. The chaos led to panicked students seeking refuge in classrooms and attempting to scale a 20ft wall to escape the gunfire.
The teenage perpetrator, who confessed to the attack according to Acre government officials, was swiftly apprehended by law enforcement. Details about his association with the school, whether as a current student or former attendee, remain unclear.
Tragically, two female staff members lost their lives on the school premises, while a third staff member and a student sustained injuries and were promptly transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Eyewitness accounts described scenes of students desperately trying to flee, with some managing to find safety while others remained stranded on the school roof.
Authorities also detained the legal guardian of the suspect, who allegedly owned the firearm used in the attack. Governor Mailza Assis expressed profound sympathy for the victims’ families, the school community, and all education professionals affected by the distressing incident.
In response to the tragedy, the Acre government announced a three-day suspension of classes across all schools in the state, along with the deployment of psychological support teams to aid students and educators dealing with the aftermath. A thorough investigation by Acre police into the incident is currently underway.
This tragic event adds to a concerning trend of school-related violence in Brazil, with previous incidents highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and support for educational institutions.