Brazil day care ax attack leaves 3 children dead, 4 others injured; suspect in custody

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Four children were killed, and three others were injured following an ax attack at Cantinho Bom Pastor day care center in Blumenau, Brazil. 

“It is with great sadness that I receive the regrettable news that the Cantinho do Bom Pastor private day care center, in Blumenau, has been invaded by an assassin who attacked children and employees. Unfortunately four did not resist and died, in addition to three wounded,” governor of the Santa Catarina state, Jorginho Mello, tweeted. 

The Cantinho Bom Pastor day care center in Blumenau, Brazil. (Google Maps)

“I immediately determined the action of our security forces, who are already in place. The killer is already arrested. I leave here my full solidarity. May God comfort the hearts of all families in this moment of deep pain,” Mello added. 

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The state’s firefighters corps confirmed the man attacked with a hatchet and that three children were taken to the hospital, the Associated Press reported. 

“According to the Civil Police, the dead children, three boys and a girl, are between 5 and 7 years old,” Brazilian politics reporter for the Correio Braziliense newspaper, Renato Souza, tweeted. “In a note, president Lula condemns the attack, says it is an act of ‘monstrosity,’ of ‘hatred’ and offers solidarity to the families.”

Images broadcast on television showed weeping parents outside the private daycare center in southern Brazil.

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According to the AP, school attacks in Brazil had been uncommon, but have begun happening with greater frequency in recent years. 

Last week, a student in Sao Paulo stabbed a teacher, killing her, and also wounded several others in Sao Paulo.

Blumenau, a city of 366,000 people, is famous for its annual Oktoberfest festival.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates. 

Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace.