Brazilian police kill suspect, rescue 13 children from kindergarten

On Friday, Brazilian police in Curitiba, southern Brazil, intervened in a hostage situation at a kindergarten in the Sao Braz neighborhood, resulting in the death of a suspect and the rescue of 13 children. According to Alexandre Lopes Dias, commander of the military police special forces unit in Parana state, the suspect scaled the kindergarten's gate, entered a classroom, and abducted the children.

He threatened to set the building ablaze by spreading a flammable substance around the room and brandishing a knife and a weapon later revealed to be fake. Negotiations lasted for up to three hours, during which the suspect remained close to the children, with one child sitting on his lap. The suspect, a man with schizophrenia, allegedly began physically assaulting the children during the standoff, causing them to become increasingly distressed.

Parana police spokesperson Leticia Martins confirmed that one child sustained an injury during the ordeal, though the nature of the injury was not disclosed. Lopes Dias stated that the police decided to take tactical action to prevent further harm after realizing the children's distress and the suspect's aggressive behavior. Curitiba Mayor Eduardo Pimentel expressed relief on Instagram, confirming that all 13 children were safe after what he described as anguishing and tense moments.