Man killed by police after holding 13 children hostage in Brazil

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 10 Oct, 10:37 · Archive

An armed man was killed by police after holding 13 young children hostage at a school in Curitiba, Brazil.

An armed man broke into a classroom at the São Braz Municipal Early Childhood Education Center in Curitiba, Brazil, on Friday and held 13 young children and staff at knifepoint for over three hours. The suspect poured a liquid that smelled like gasoline in the classroom and repeatedly threatened to set it on fire, police said.

Negotiating teams were deployed but saw no alternative but to end the situation. Parana state police spokesperson Leticia Martins said the suspect 'also threatened to pour gasoline onto himself and others'. Local police commander Alexandre Dias said the armed man suffered from schizophrenia but did not release his identity or details of how he was killed. 'We entered the classroom using a very tactical approach, with little risk for the children,' Dias said.

Police carried out a tactical intervention and the man was shot and killed. All 13 children, aged between four and five, were rescued. Five received medical attention but no injuries were reported. Curitiba City Hall said the children and school staff will receive psychological support.

How it is being reported

• Suspect killed after 13 kindergarteners taken hostage, beaten in BrazilMan spreads flammable liquid in a room with 13 children while holding a lighter as police try to negotiate.Al Jazeera · 10 Oct, 10:45
• Brazil police rescue 13 children taken hostage at kindergartenBrazilian police have rescued 13 children held hostage for more than two hours at a daycare centre in Curitiba.Al Jazeera · 10 Oct, 10:14
• Man killed by police after holding 13 kids hostage at knifepoint in Brazilian schoolAn armed man was killed in Brazil after holding 13 kids at school hostage for several hours on Friday.New York Post · 10 Oct, 05:14

In this story: Brazil · Curitiba · São Braz Municipal Early Childhood Education Center · Parana state police · Leticia Martins · Alexandre Dias

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