Three Killed and at Least 13 Injured in Brazil School Shootings

Two school shootings in southeastern Brazil have left three dead and more than a dozen injured.

According to the Associated Press, the attack occurred at around 10 a.m. Friday in Aracruz, a small town located in the state of Espirito Santo. Authorities say the 16-year-old suspect killed two teachers in the Primo Bitti State school—a public elementary and second school he used to attend. The alleged shooter then carried out a second shooting at the Praia de Coqueiral Educational Center, a private school located on the same street. The second attack left one adolescent dead.

Law enforcement confirmed at least 13 people, including nine instructors, were injured during the shooting. Most of the victims were hospitalized shortly after. Their conditions are unknown.

Brazilian police said the assailant, whose name has not been released, entered the buildings wearing a bulletproof vest and armed with a semiautomatic pistol. Espirito Santo Gov. Renato Casagrande told reporters that the weapons belonged to the teen’s father, who is a military police officer.

The AP reports the suspect was arrested four hours after the shooting began. Police believe he acted alone, based on security footage.

“With a feeling of regret and great sadness, I am following closely the investigation into the invasion of the Primo Bitti and Darwin Schools, in Aracruz,” the governor tweeted Friday. “All our security forces are engaged. Determine the displacement of Sec. of Safety and Education to monitor the work.

“… Our security teams caught up with the attacker who, cowardly, attacked two schools in Aracruz in the morning. I declared three days of official mourning as a sign of grief for the irreparable losses. We will continue to investigate the reasons and, soon, we will have new clarifications.”