A knife attack outside Suriname’s capital of Paramaribo killed at least nine people, including five children, police said Sunday. The victims included four of the attacker’s children and neighbors who came to their aid, according to officials.
A neighbor’s child was also killed in the rampage that took place in Richelieu in the Commewijne district, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) east of Paramaribo. Local news outlets reported the victims were located at multiple homes.
Newsweek reached out to Suriname’s Police Corps via email on Sunday for comment.
The Context
The attack represents one of the deadliest incidents in recent Surinamese history, particularly shocking for a nation that has traditionally maintained one of the lowest murder rates in South America.
The violence has sent shockwaves through the small nation of approximately 600,000 people and raised concerns about a recent spike in violent crime.
What To Know
The 43-year-old male suspect attempted to attack police officers who arrived on the scene and was injured during his arrest, according to a statement from Suriname’s Police Corps. He is now recovering in a hospital. A sixth child and another adult were seriously injured in the attack and are being treated at a hospital in Paramaribo.
The Associated Press reported that the suspect had an argument over the phone with his wife who he’s separated from. Neighbors said that after the wife told him she would not pick up their children, but would send someone else to get them, the husband attacked his kids with a knife and also attacked neighbors in their own homes.
Police have not released the identities of the victims or the suspect.
Suriname, a former Dutch colony and the smallest independent nation in South America, has historically been known for its relatively low crime rates compared to regional neighbors. However, data gathered by the think tank Insight Crime shows the murder rate spiked dramatically last year to 30 homicides per 100,000 residents.
What People Are Saying
Suriname President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons responded to the tragedy on her Facebook page, writing in Dutch: “I wish all the bereaved much strength, resilience, and comfort in this unimaginably difficult time.”
What Happens Next
Authorities are expected to release additional details about the investigation as the suspect recovers from his injuries. The two survivors, meanwhile, remain hospitalized with their conditions not yet publicly disclosed.
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
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