The Aracruz school shootings were a shooting spree that occurred on November 25, 2022, at two schools in Aracruz, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Four people were killed, and 12 others were injured. The suspect, a 16-year-old former student at one of the schools, was arrested approximately four hours later.[1][2][3]
Shootings
The shootings began at around 9:30 a.m. and occurred at two schools located on the same street.[1][4] The gunman, who wore camouflaged clothing, an armband with a swastika, a skull mask, and a bucket hat, broke into the Primo Bitti Elementary and Middle School, a public school serving elementary and middle school students, after destroying a lock. There, he shot 11 people, killing two teachers. A third teacher died a day later.[1][3][5]
Afterwards, the gunman drove to the Educational Center Praia de Coqueiral, a private school.[1][3] Entering at 9:49 a.m. through the unlocked gates,[4] he shot an additional three people, killing a female 6th-grade student.[3] The gunman fled again a minute later[4] and remained at large for approximately 4 hours. Later, the Military Police released a statement confirming that a suspect was in custody.[1][6]
Victims
The victims of the attacks were identified by multiple news sources:
- Selena Zagrillo, 12[7]
- Maria da Penha Pereira de Melo Banhos, 48[8]
- Cybelle Passos Bezerra Lara, 45[9]
- Flavia Amoss Merçon Leonardo, 38[10]
Aftermath and reactions
After the shootings, Aracruz announced the suspension of all classes at municipal schools.[11]
The Aracruz mayor said this was "the largest tragedy this city has ever seen".[12] Renato Casagrande, the governor of Espírito Santo, said he would pay attention to the case with "much regret and sadness".[13] He also declared three days of official mourning in the state.[5] President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva posted on Twitter, "My solidarity to the families of the victims in this absurd tragedy."[14]
References
- ^ a b c d e Bridi, Carla (November 25, 2022). "Shootings at Brazil schools leave 3 dead, 13 wounded". Associated Press. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- ^ "Filho de PM, atirador usou armas e carro do pai em Aracruz, diz polícia". noticias.uol.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Aracruz: Atentado a tiros em duas escolas no ES deixam ao menos 3 mortos". noticias.uol.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Ataques em Aracruz: invasão em uma das escolas durou cerca de um minuto". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- ^ a b Mendonca, Duarte (November 25, 2022). "At least 3 people killed and 11 others injured in Brazil school shootings". CNN. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- ^ "Assassino que invadiu escolas e deixou três mortos e onze feridos em Aracruz é preso". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- ^ "Menina de 12 anos está entre mortos no ataque a escolas em Aracruz". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ "Menina de 12 anos está entre mortos no ataque a escolas em Aracruz". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ "Sobe para 4 o número de mortos em ataque a escolas de Aracruz (ES)". Folha de S.Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). November 26, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ "Morre a quarta vítima dos ataques a escolas em Aracruz". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). November 26, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
- ^ "Ataques a tiros em escolas em Aracruz: aulas são suspensas na cidade". br.noticias.yahoo.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- ^ Vitória, Folha (November 25, 2022). ""A maior tragédia que nossa cidade já viu", diz prefeito de Aracruz sobre ataques a escolas". Folha Vitória (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- ^ "Ataque a escolas em Aracruz: governador do ES diz acompanhar caso 'com pesar e muita tristeza'". G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). November 25, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- ^ "Lula: ataque a tiros em escolas de Aracruz (ES) é 'tragédia absurda'". noticias.uol.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved November 25, 2022.
