Police are conducting an investigation in Blumenau, a city situated in the south of Brazil near the Atlantic coast, following the brutal murder of four children at a daycare center.
On Wednesday, an individual jumped over a wall and entered the Cantinho do Bom Pastor day care center, brutally attacking the children with a hatchet. Four children aged between 5 and 7 passed away, with five more injured. The 25-year-old male suspect fled the scene and later turned himself in at a local police station without incident.
Detective Ronnie Esteves is trying to ascertain the motive for the attack and has stated that the individual does not appear to have any connection to the center, which offers education and activities in addition to daycare.
In response to the tragedy, Mayor Mário Hildebrandt has declared a 30-day mourning period and halted classes. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his condolences via Twitter, writing “There is no greater pain than that of a family that loses its children or grandchildren, even more so in an act of violence against innocent and defenseless children”.
Videos taken on social media show parents picking up their children from the daycare center, and in the playground, several bodies can be seen under white sheets.
One parent, Franciele Chequeto, revealed that she had to explain to her son that his friend had died. “He wasn’t understanding. I sat down and told him that he no longer will be able to see some of his little friends”.