At least four children dead in Brazil school attack after man storms nursery

Four children have been killed after a hatchet-wielding man scaled the wall of a nursery in Brazil and carried out a shocking attack before turning himself in to police.

Local media reports that the 25-year-old man arrived at the pre-school in Blumenau, southern Brazil, on a motorbike before going on a horrifying rampage, attacking the children who were in a park behind the school.

A fifth child is said to be in a serious condition, while three other casualties were taken to Santo Antonio Hospital.

The hospital confirmed that it had children, aged between ‘zero and two-years-old’, arrived for treatment.

The tragic attack was carried out at the CEI Cantinho do Bom Pastor pre-school in the Velha neighbourhood of Blumenau at around 9am local time (12:00GMT).

Four children have been killed after a hatchet-wielding man scaled the wall of a nursery and carried out a shocking attack in Brazil before turning himself in. Pictured: The scene of the attack

The 25-year-old man arrived at the pre-school in Blumenau, southern Brazil, on a motorbike before going on a rampage. Pictured: Police speaking to members of the public outside the school

As emergency services rushed to the scene, the perpetrator was arrested soon after the attack after turning himself in to police.

Images broadcast on television showed weeping parents outside the private daycare centre, known as the Good Shepherd Center, while motorists were seen racing through red lights to get to the scene.

Governor Jorginho Mello confirmed the tragedy and expressed condolences in a statement: ‘It is with great sadness that I receive the regrettable news that the private day care centre Cantinho do Bom Pastor, in Blumenau, has been invaded by an assassin who attacked children and staff.

‘Unfortunately four died. I immediately determined the action of our security forces, who are already on the spot. The killer is already arrested.

‘I leave here my full solidarity. May God comfort the heart of all families in this moment of deep pain.’

He declared three days of mourning in the state for the ‘terrible’ attack.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also condemned the attack as a ‘monstrosity.’

‘There is no greater pain than a family that loses children or grandchildren, even more so when it is in an act of violence against innocent and defenseless children,’ he wrote on Twitter.

The man was arrested by Brazilian police after turning himself in following the attack today. Pictured: Emergency services at the scene

The tragic attack was carried out at the Centro de Educacao Infantil Cantinho do Bom Pastor pre-school

‘My thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families… For any human being who has the Christian feeling, a tragedy like this is unacceptable, a behavior, an absurd act of hate and cowardice like this.’

The State Board of Criminal Investigations has confirmed it will lead the investigation for the savage attack.

Violence in schools has been increasing in Brazil in recent years. Last week, a 13-year-old boy killed a teacher in a knife attack at a school in Sao Paulo.

In November, a 16-year-old shooter killed four people and wounded more than 10 others in twin attacks on two schools in the southeastern city of Aracruz, in Espirito Santo state.

In 2019, two former students shot dead eight people at a high school in Suzano, outside Sao Paulo, then also took their own lives.

The country’s deadliest school shooting left 12 children dead in 2011, when a man opened fire at his former elementary school in the Rio de Janeiro suburb of Realengo, then killed himself.