Blumenau school attack

On April 5, 2023, a hatchet attack occurred at a daycare center in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil.[1] Four children between the ages of five and seven were killed; four others were injured.[1][2][3] A 25-year-old male suspect, who is believed to have jumped over a wall to gain access to the school, surrendered at a nearby police station.[2][3]

Blumenau school attack
LocationBlumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Coordinates26.91568°S 49.10983°W / -26.91568; -49.10983
DateApril 5, 2023
09:00 (UTC-3)
TargetCantinho Bom Pastor nursery
Attack type
Mass stabbing
WeaponsHatchet
Deaths4
Injured4
MotiveUnknown
AccusedLuiz Henrique de Lima

Background

School attacks increased in Brazil in the years prior to the attack.[4] Out of 16 school attacks in Brazil between 2000 and 2022, four occurred in the second half of 2022.[4] A previous attack on a daycare occurred in 2021, when an 18-year-old man killed three children and two adults at a daycare in Saudades, Santa Catarina.[4] A week prior to the Blumenau attack, a student in São Paulo killed a teacher and wounded five others in a stabbing attack.[5][4]

Suspect

The Military Police identified the suspected perpetrator as Luiz Henrique de Lima (born December 19, 1997), a 25-year-old man from Salto do Lontra, Paraná.[6] He worked as a motorcycle courier prior to the attack.[6] Lima posted on Facebook after allegedly attacking the school.[6] Police said that the suspect did not appear to have any connection to the daycare center.[4]

Reactions

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated in a tweet, "There is no greater pain than that of a family that loses its children or grandchildren, even more so in an act of violence against innocent and defenseless children".[2] Santa Catarina governor Jorginho Mello also gave his condolences to the families of those killed in the attack.[2] Blumenau mayor Mário Hildebrandt suspended classes and stated he would declare a 30-day mourning period.[4]

References
  1. "Brazil kindergarten attack: Man kills four children in Blumenau". BBC News. 2023-04-05. Archived from the original on 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  2. Trucco, Florencia (2023-04-05). "Four children killed in axe attack at daycare center in southern Brazil". CNN. Archived from the original on 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  3. "Axe attack at Brazilian pre-school leaves four children dead and five injured". The Guardian. 2023-04-05. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  4. "Brazil man kills 4 children with hatchet at day care center". Associated Press. 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  5. "Teenager fatally stabs teacher, wounds five people in Brazil". Associated Press. March 27, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  6. "Assassino de Blumenau fez postagem enigmática nas redes após matar quatro crianças" [Murderer from Blumenau made enigmatic post on social media after killing four children]. Brasil 247 (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
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