Brazilian Student Arrested After Attempted School Shooting Fails; One Injured

Our reporter

A 19-year-old student in the northern Brazilian city of Natal was arrested Tuesday after attempting a mass shooting at her high school, the E. Berilo Wanderley School.

The student, identified as Lyedja Santos, shot an 18-year-old classmate in the head, before entering a classroom and attempting to shoot a teacher. However, the weapon malfunctioned, preventing further violence.

 

Santos, an 11th grader, shot the victim as he walked down the hallway. He was struck in the head, but fortunately, the bullet did not become lodged, and he remains in stable condition at Monsenhor Walfredo Gurgel Hospital, where medical personnel reported he was conscious and undergoing treatment.

 

Inside the classroom, Santos aimed her .38 caliber revolver at a teacher’s head as students were preparing for a test. The gun malfunctioned, jamming mid-attack, and before she could reload, a fellow student tackled her to the ground. "It all happened so quickly. We didn't even know if it was a bomb or a shot until it happened," one student recalled. "She was about to hurt the teacher, but the gun didn’t work."

 

Authorities later discovered a handwritten note on Santos detailing her intentions. In it, she expressed remorse toward her family and friends, acknowledging her actions as a way to "find peace" despite the consequences. “I would never have dreamed of dying like this,” she wrote, explaining her deep personal struggles.

 

Police recovered the revolver, three knives, and several books about serial killers from Santos' possession, along with the disturbing note. The weapons were seized by the Rio Grande do Norte Military Police.

 

Santos was charged with attempted murder and remains in custody. The school, which was closed the following day, is cooperating fully with the investigation.

 

In response to the incident, the Department of Education in Rio Grande do Norte issued a statement condemning the violence and expressing solidarity with the affected families. The department also reassured the public that safety measures are a top priority and that further actions will be taken to ensure students' well-being.

 

This attempted shooting comes just days after another deadly school attack in the United States, underscoring growing concerns over violence in educational settings worldwide.