13-year-old opens fire at school in Brazil, killing 2 employees

A 13-year-old student opened fire at a school in northern Brazil, killing two employees and injuring two other people before he was taken into custody, according to officials.

The shooting happened early Tuesday afternoon at Instituto São José, a school in Rio Branco, the capital of Acre state. Four people were shot, including three school employees and one student, the Acre government said.

The two employees who died were identified by g1 as Alzenira Pereira da Silva, 53, and Raquel Sales Feitosa, 37. Colonel Felipe Russo of the Military Police said both worked as school inspectors.

Another employee was shot in the foot and a student was shot in the leg. Both were taken to the emergency room, and officials said no students were seriously injured.

The shooting happened in a hallway that leads to the principal’s office, according to Russo. He said the 13-year-old did not reach the classrooms.

Students in the afternoon session were already in class when they heard the gunfire, according to g1. Survivors said frightened students dropped to the floor and tried to barricade themselves with chairs.

The Acre government said the boy admitted carrying out the shooting and was placed in state custody. The gun was also seized.

The boy’s legal guardian, who owns the firearm used in the shooting, has been detained, according to the government. Officials did not immediately release a possible motive.

Russo said other students who allegedly knew about the attack have been identified by the Military Police. The Acre Civil Police has opened an investigation into the motive, how the shooting unfolded and any possible responsibility by others.

Classes at all state-run schools in Acre have been suspended for three days.