A 17-year-old student attacked her teacher with a knife in a Brazilian classroom, in an incident captured on CCTV. The teacher, Betania de Almeida, was grading the student's maths paper when the attack began.
The attack took place on September 11 at Dr. Gerson dos Santos State School in Cametá, a city in the northeastern state of Pará, Brazil. The student, who has not been named, can be seen standing near the teacher's desk before launching a frenzied attack with a hunting knife.
Footage shows attack and escape
The footage shows the teen fidgeting with her hair before pulling out the knife and lunging at the teacher. De Almeida dodged the blade and tried to wrestle the knife from the student, who continued to slash at her, nearly landing a blow near her face.
De Almeida then ran from the classroom with the student in pursuit. Police were called and arrested the teen, who told officers she launched the attack because she does not like the teacher.
Teacher hospitalised and discharged
De Almeida was rushed to a nearby hospital. Reports state she received stitches and was discharged on Saturday, as none of the blows pierced any of her organs.
A family member told Brazilian news outlet G1 that de Almeida had finished grading the student's test when she nearly lost her life. The knife used in the attack was seized by police.
Legal and union response
Lawyers close to the case believe the student is not “criminally liable” because she is a minor, and she will face an infraction similar to attempted homicide in a children's court.
“Here, we use the term ‘socio-educational measure’ for any penalty imposed on a minor who commits a crime,” a prosecutor said. “In her case, given the seriousness of the attempted homicide, I believe a measure involving confinement could be applied.”
The Union of Public Education Workers of Pará denounced the attack and called on law enforcement authorities to investigate the incident. “Violence against education is violence against all of society,” the union said.
