The four people killed at a day care center in southern Brazil are children aged between four and seven. Santa Catarina Civil Police Commissioner Ulisses Gabriel said in a live press conference on Wednesday. A spokeswoman for the Military Police of Santa Catarina had already confirmed to the German Press Agency that the victims were children under 12 years old.
According to Chief Gabriel, other injured children were taken to hospitals in the city of Blumenau for treatment and are in stable condition. Gabriel emphasized that it was an isolated case – the news of an alleged new attack had already circulated.
According to the Military Police, a 25-year-old man invaded a private day care center in the German immigrant town of Blumenau on Wednesday morning and attacked children.
According to the Brazilian news portal “G1”, he was armed with an axe. According to police, the attacker turned himself in at the police station. He was arrested and handed over to the Civil Police. His motive was initially unknown.
Blumenau declared 30 days of mourning. “We deeply regret this tragedy, which marks a sad turning point in the history of our city. May God comfort the hearts of all families,” he said in a statement. Public school classes on Wednesday and Thursday have been cancelled.