Thomazia Montoro school stabbing

First responders outside the school

The **Thomazia Montoro school stabbing** happened on March 27, 2023, when a 13-year-old student stabbed five people, one fatally, at Thomazia Montoro public school in São Paulo, Brazil, before being subdued.

## Background

The attacker was a 13-year-old boy in eighth grade. He transferred to the school in early March after administrators at his previous school filed a police report against him alleging aggressive behavior, such as "posting compromising videos, for example, carrying a firearm and simulating violent attacks". A week before the attack, he called another student a "rat," "monkey," and a "little mouse." This aggravated the other student, and the two began fighting. Elizabete Tenreiro, a teacher he would later stab, broke up the fight. According to another student, the perpetrator did not like how the teacher had intervened and said he would do something about it.

The perpetrator told his friends he was planning an attack, but no one believed him. He also searched for ways to obtain a firearm on the web, but had no success.

On the morning of the attack, the perpetrator announced his plan on Twitter. His first tweet read: "Ira acontecer hoje, esperei por esse momento minha vida inteira, tomara que consigo alguma kill pelo menos, minha ansiedade começa atacar por causa disso, enfim... me desejem boa sorte!" Which translates to "It's gonna happen today, I've waited for this moment my whole life, I hope i can get one kill at least. I'm starting to get anxious because of this, well... wish me luck!" The second tweet read: "Vcs acham que faço amanhã e vê oque vai acontecer sem um armamento decente ou não?" Which translates to "Do you think I will do it tomorrow and see what will happen without decent weaponry or not?" The attackers username was "Taucci," likely a reference to the Suzano massacre.

## Attack

On March 27, 2023, a Monday, the perpetrator went to school armed with a knife. Although he arrived in his regular garments, he put on a skull mask that morning shortly before the attack. He then ran into the classroom of Elisabeth Tenreiro, a 71-year-old science teacher. Tenreiro, who had her back turned, was at her desk, oblivious until the attacker began stabbing her. He stabbed her five times until she fell to the ground. She later died of a heart attack at a hospital. One student tried to defend the teacher, but the attacker slashed his arm. Other students panicked, and some were attacked as they ran toward the exit. Later, the perpetrator began stabbing another teacher, who attempted to shield herself with her arms. Another teacher then entered the room and put the attacker in a choke hold, while a third teacher disarmed him and pulled off his mask. He was subsequently arrested once law enforcement arrived.

## Aftermath

The injured victims were transported to four hospitals. Three were discharged on the same day, while one required surgery. After the attack, the military police and community leaders met with the school directors to discuss expanding programs and strategies to combat active attackers. Additionally, the state administration is considering hiring reserve officers to continuously guard schools.

The Department of Education repaired and renovated the school—with expenses costing them R200,000. The school's façade was also painted by a prominent graffiti artist.

The school remained closed until April 10, 2023, when 90 students returned to their classes. The remaining students returned the following day.

### Legal proceedings

The perpetrator of the attack is currently hospitalized at a Fundação CASA unit. Due to his age, the youth can serve up to three years of socio-educational reform after sentencing.

The police are also investigating the possible involvement of two other students in the attack. The court granted a breach of confidentiality on the perpetrator's cell phone, computer, and Xbox video game system. Investigators are now working to extract data from the devices using Israeli technology.

### Reactions

Tarcisio de Freitas, the governor of São Paulo, tweeted, "I have no words to express my sadness at the news of the attack on students and teachers at the Thomazia Montoro State School, in Vila Sônia." Ricardo Nunes, the mayor of São Paulo, had similar remarkers, stating that the tragedy left him "without words to express the sadness of what happened at the State School, in Vila Sonia". The state government also announced three days of mourning in remembrance of Tenreiro.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "13-Year-Old Student Kills 71-Year-Old Teacher and Leaves Five Injured in a School in São Paulo." March 28, 2023. *UOL*. Retrieved April 13, 2023. (Archive)
2. ↑ Menon, Isabella; Kruse, Tulio (March 27, 2023). "Colega de escola diz que adolescente proferiu xingamentos racistas e avisou que faria ataque" [Schoolmate says teenager uttered racist insults and warned that he would attack]. *UOL* (in Portuguese). Retrieved April 13, 2023. (Archive).
3. ↑ Penner, Andre; Bridi, Carla (March 27, 2023). "Teenager fatally stabs teacher, wounds five people in Brazil." *Associated Press*. Retrieved April 13, 2023. (Archive)
4. ↑ Tweets by the Thomazia Montoro attacker in Vila Sônia, São Paulo, Brazil. March 28, 2023. *Twitter* – via r/masskillers.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Brazilian teenager accused of fatally stabbing Sao Paulo teacher." March 27, 2023. *AL JAZEERA*. Retrieved April 13, 2023. (Archive).
6. ↑ Palhares, Isabella; Menon, Isabella; Neto, Francisco (March 27, 2023). "Adolescente usava máscara de caveira e golpeou professora pelas costas em escola de SP" [Teenager wore a skull mask and hit a teacher in the back at a school in SP]. *OUL* (in Portuguese). Retrieved April 13, 2023. (Archive).
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "Escola Thomazia Montoro retoma aulas com parte dos estudantes duas semanas apos prefessora ser morta em ataque" [Thomazia Montoro School resumes classes with part of students two weeks after teacher was killed in attack]. April 10, 2023. *Reviews News* (in Portuguese). Retrieved April 13, 2023.
8. ↑ Chambers, Bala (March 27, 2023). "Brazilian teenager stabs teacher to death at Sao Paulo school." *AA*. Retrieved April 13, 2023. (Archive).