World

Brazil school shooting: Deadly attack in São Paulo

March 14, 2019 5:18 am

Two gunmen have opened fire at a school in south-eastern Brazil, killing at least six students and two employees, officials say.

The shooting happened at about 09:30 local time (12:30 GMT) when the students were on a break at the state school in Suzano, near São Paulo.

The gunmen wearing face masks, aged 17 and 25, killed themselves after the attack, according to police.

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While gun crime is common in Brazil, shootings of this nature are not.

Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who took office in January, has signed a decree making it easier for law-abiding citizens to own a gun, a key campaign promise, even though many restrictions remain in place.

The motive for the shooting is not clear. Police say they found a revolver, a bow and arrow and items that appeared to be explosives.