Armed man killed by police after holding 13 children hostage in Brazilian school

An armed man who suffered from schizophrenia was killed by police after holding 13 children hostage in a school for over three hours. The incident occurred at the São Braz Municipal Early Childhood Education Center in Curitiba, Brazil, on Friday. The man broke into a classroom and held a group of young children and staff at knifepoint, according to local outlet Paranaíba Mais. During the hostage situation, he poured a liquid that smelled like gasoline in the classroom and threatened to set it on fire. Parana state police spokesperson Leticia Martins stated, "(The suspect) also threatened to pour gasoline onto himself and others; our negotiating teams were in place, but saw no alternative but to neutralize him." The Special Police Operations Battalion carried out the tactical intervention, resulting in the man's death. Local police commander Alexandre Dias confirmed the suspect's schizophrenia but did not provide further details on how he was killed. Parents waited outside the school as negotiations took place. Following two explosions, officers were able to bring the children outside. All 13 children, aged between 4 and 5 years old, were rescued, with five receiving medical attention but no injuries reported. Curitiba City Hall announced that the children and school staff would receive psychological support. The school is located approximately 250 miles south of São Paulo.