The incident occurred at a preschool in Uganda on Thursday, April 2
Credit: Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Four toddlers have been stabbed to death at a preschool in Uganda
- Okello Christopher Onyum, 39, was arrested at the scene, according to local police
- Authorities identified three boys and one girl among the victims
Four toddlers have been stabbed to death at a preschool in Uganda.
On Thursday, April 2, the Uganda Police Force revealed in a release on X that they responded to a report at around 11:00 a.m. local time of an individual allegedly stabbing children at Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.
Okello Christopher Onyum, 39, was arrested at the scene and four minors were confirmed to have died, the release added.
Authorities identified three boys among the victims: Eteku Gideon, 2, Ryan Odeke, 2, and Ignatius Sserwange, 3, as well as a 3-year-old girl, Kaise Alungat.
Credit: Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua via Getty
“All victims were pupils of the same daycare facility,” officials said. “The suspect is currently under interrogation as investigations continue to establish his motive, background, and any other relevant circumstances surrounding this heinous crime.”
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Alongside their post, authorities shared a picture of Onyum in handcuffs.
“The Uganda Police Force extends its deepest condolences to the affected families and assures the public that all efforts are underway to ensure a thorough investigation and justice for the victims,” the police wrote, adding that they would provide further updates once more details were discovered.
Parents were seen trying to attack the suspect before authorities arrived, police spokesperson Racheal Kawala told Agence France-Presse (AFP), according to the BBC.
Kawala added to the AFP that Onyum had previously inquired about enrolling a child into the school and was told to return to the school again on Thursday, per the BBC.
Credit: Badru Katumba / AFP via Getty
"He paid for admission [and] after that proceeded and attacked these children, killing four of them instantly," the police spokesperson said.
Kawala added that there were 10 other children inside the school who were returned to their parents following the incident.
PEOPLE reached out to Ggaba Early Childhood Development Program school and Uganda Police Force for further comment but didn't immediately receive a response.
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