Two school employees were killed and several others wounded following a shooting at the "São José Institute" in Rio Branco, the capital of Brazil's northwestern state of Acre.
The Operative Information Center-OMM, citing international media reports, stated that the attack resulted in the deaths of two staff members. Two additional individuals, including an 11-year-old girl, sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital for emergency medical care.
Law enforcement authorities have detained a 13-year-old student who confessed to carrying out the shooting. The weapon used in the crime, a .380 caliber pistol, is believed to belong to the teenager's stepfather. Officials confirmed that the suspect's guardian has also been taken into custody as part of the investigation, which is currently examining the potential involvement of other students.
Witnesses described a scene of intense panic within the school as consecutive gunshots were heard. Evely Isadora, a student at the institute, described the situation as terrifying. According to reports from the "Reuters" news agency, police stated that the suspect moved through the corridors toward the director's office, firing several shots before eventually surrendering.
In response to the tragedy, state authorities have announced a three-day suspension of classes at the school and have deployed psychological support teams to assist the victims and the student body. Brazil has seen a rise in school-related violence in recent years, leading to increased national discussions regarding security protocols in educational institutions and stricter firearm controls.
