Chronological analysis of 6 attacks on schools in Brazil and the reasons that led to the violence

While family members, students and the whole of Brazil try to recover from yet another school attack – in which a teacher died and five other people were injured after an attack on stab wounds inside a state school in the city of São Paulo – we cannot help thinking about how many attacks have occurred and what is the true motivation of the perpetrator that leads him to commit such a crime atrocity.

Can cases like this be avoided?

Before going into the subject, let us remember 6 cases of attacks on educational institutions that took place in the last 12 years in Brazil:

1. School shooting in Rio de Janeiro (2011)

In April 2011, a 23-year-old former student invaded the Tasso da Silveira Municipal School, in the neighborhood of Realengo, in Rio de Janeiro, and carried out a shooting that left 12 children dead and more than 20 wounds. The killer was intercepted by police, but committed suicide before being apprehended.

Possible motivation: The motive for the offense remains uncertain, however, the suicide letter left by Wellington, along with public testimonies from his adoptive sister and a colleague close-up, indicate that the shooter was introverted, suffered from bullying and was very interested in topics related to terrorist attacks and religious groups fundamentalists.

2. Attack on school in Goiânia (2017)

In October 2017, a 14-year-old student shot at classmates at the Goyases private school in Goiânia. The crime resulted in the death of two teenagers and left four others injured.

Possible motivation: According to reports, he faced bullying, or, in his own words, a colleague was harassing him. Inspired by other cases, such as Columbine and Realengo, he decided to commit this crime. He spent two months planning the action.

3. Attempted massacre at school in Ponta Grossa (2018)

In September 2018, two teenagers, aged 15 and 18, planned a massacre at the Princesa Isabel State School, in Ponta Grossa, Paraná. The police intercepted the plan after anonymous reports and seized weapons and explosive materials that would be used in the attack.

Possible motivation: The student claimed to have been bullied and to have at least nine targets, leaving home determined to carry out the attack, planned since July. According to police, a letter containing an apology was found in the suspects' school supplies, along with news clippings about attacks on schools in the United States and Brazil. In addition, videos of violence were found on the cell phone of one of them.

4. Massacre of Suzano (2019)

On March 13, 2019, two former students invaded the Raul Brasil State School, in Suzano, São Paulo, and carried out an attack that resulted in the deaths of 10 people, including five students, two employees, the uncle of one of the shooters, and the shooters. The crime shocked the country and brought up the discussion about safety in schools and the need to invest in prevention.

Possible Motivation: Despite the lack of clarity about the motive for the massacre in Suzano, the police investigation suggests that the The perpetrators planned the attack for months, intending to mimic other attacks carried out in the United States. United. Additionally, they were active on dark web forums that promoted violence and hate. The murder of the uncle of one of the shooters was apparently motivated by a personal dispute.

5. Murder of teacher, assistant and three children in Santa Catarina (2021)

In May 2021, a teacher was murdered inside a daycare center in the city of Saudades, Santa Catarina. The criminal, an 18-year-old young man, invaded the school armed with a kind of dagger and attacked the teacher and four other children, all under the age of two. The case generated national commotion and raised the issue of the vulnerability of education professionals.

Possible Motivation: Based on information provided by people close to him, it can be said that the young man had a problematic personality and had been suffering bullying at his school. He was introspective, with a history of animal abuse, and was interested in online games, including some with violent themes. He was part of a humble family and worked in a company, where he was saving money.

6. Teacher murder in São Paulo (2023)

In a school in the West Zone of São Paulo, an educator Elizabeth Tenreiro died and three teachers and a student were injured by stab wounds. The attacker, a 13-year-old student, was detained after being restrained and stripped of his weapon by two female teachers.

Possible Motivation: The Civil Police are investigating a story told by a classmate, who alleges that the attacker would have called another student “monkey”, which would have given rise to a fight. The school principal confirmed that a conversation about this incident took place at the school. During the confusion of the fight, the teacher Elizabeth Tenreiro intervened to separate the two students. According to the colleague's version, the offender promised to take revenge.

Can Bullying be the cause of most massacres?

Trying to understand: School Violence

What can be done?

In order to prevent the occurrence of crimes in schools and ensure the safety of students and education professionals, some measures can be taken:

• Investment in security: It is essential that schools have efficient monitoring, access control and security systems. These measures can help identify and prevent unauthorized persons from entering.
• Violence prevention programs: the implementation of programs and projects that promote a culture of peace, harmonious coexistence and respect for differences can contribute to reducing violence in the school environment.
• Psychosocial follow-up: offering psychological and social support to students and education professionals can help identify possible risk situations and prevent episodes of violence.
• Training of professionals: It is important that education professionals are trained to deal with conflict situations and can identify warning signs regarding violent behavior.