Rio de Janeiro (ANTARA News/RIA Novosti) - Death toll in a school shooting in western Rio de Janeiro increased to 12 after one student died in a hospital from sustained gun wounds, a local health department said.

A 23-year-old former man entered his former school at 8:00 a.m. local time (11:00 GMT) on Thursday and opened fire on students using two revolvers. A policeman, who turned at the scene after hearing gun shots, wounded the attacker in a leg, but the assailant committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.

The health department said the list of those killed in the shooting include 10 girls and a boy, all between 12 and 14 years of age, and the attacker.

Eleven more students sustained gun wounds in the attack and are in hospitals of Rio de Janeiro.

Police said it found a letter in which the attacker reportedly explains his motives.

Brazil has announced nationwide mourning. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said she was deeply shocked by the tragedy adding that she will attend the funerals of students.
(U.KR-FNY/H-AK)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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