A man entered a municipal kindergarten in Curitiba Sao Braz neighbourhood, held 13 children aged 4-5 at knifepoint for about three hours while spreading flammable liquid, and was killed by special forces. All children were rescued with minor injuries.
Brazilian military police special forces rescued 13 children held hostage at the CMEI Sao Braz municipal kindergarten in Curitiba on Friday after neutralizing the suspect who had entered armed with a knife and flammable material. The children, aged four to five, were celebrating Children's Day when the man jumped a fence and entered a classroom.
Negotiations lasted about three hours. Police said the suspect, described as having schizophrenia, spread a flammable substance and threatened to set fire. When stress levels rose and aggression occurred, officers entered tactically, killed the man and freed the children. Five children received medical evaluation; one had facial injuries.
Mayor Eduardo Pimentel confirmed all 13 were alive and safe. The city offered psychological support to families. This was the first armed intrusion of its kind in a municipal early education centre under recent prevention programmes.
Authorities did not publicly name the suspect. The incident highlighted security concerns in schools.
People Sentiments Negative
- Mayor Pimentel said the 13 children are alive and safe.
- Police commander said they entered when children showed elevated stress.