Brazil School Shooting: 3 people killed, 11 injured

schools on Friday, leaving at least three people dead and 11 others hurt.

The attacks happened in the little town of Aracruz, which is located 50 miles north of Vitoria, the state seat.

Police have detained the alleged shooter, who was shown on security tape with a semi-automatic pistol, dressing in uniform, and hiding his face. Authorities have not yet named the culprit, but the 16-year-old has been recognized by local media, including CNN affiliate CNN Brasil.

Espirito Santo governor Renato Casagrande, in a Twitter post on Friday, confirmed "security teams caught up with the attacker who, cowardly, attacked two schools in Aracruz. 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."

The attacks, according to the governor, happened at the Praia de Coqueiral Educational Center and the Primo Bitti School.

Public Safety Minister Marcio Celante stated in a statement to the media that police believe the suspect acted alone based on security footage but noted that more research was required to learn more about the incidents.

Celante also disclosed some of the details from the security footage.

"The first criminal action was to access the school by breaking the padlock. He had access to the teachers' room," Celante said, adding that "afterwards, he moved to another school, where he made more victims."

Brazil's president-elect, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, called the incident an "absurd tragedy."

"It's with sadness that I was informed about the attacks at the Aracruz schools in Espirito Santo. My solidarity goes to the family of the victims in this absurd tragedy," Lula tweeted.

"My support goes out to Governor Casagrande in investigating the case and comforting the communities surrounding the two affected schools," he added.

Along with other members of his government, Brazilian minister Victor Godoy expressed his sympathies.

"My condolences to the parents, relatives and employees of the Primo Bitti State Elementary and Middle School and the Praia de Coqueiral Educational Center, in Aracruz. I submit for the record my repudiation of this manifestation of violence," Godoy wrote on Twitter.

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