ALBAWABA- Nine people, including five children, were killed in a knife attack in a residential area near Suriname’s capital, Paramaribo, overnight, police reported.
The attack took place in Richelieu, Commewijne district, approximately 25 kilometers east of the city.
Authorities said the 43-year-old suspect began the rampage following a phone argument with his estranged wife over child custody.
The assailant reportedly killed four of his own children before attacking neighbors who intervened, including one child. Another child and an adult sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized.
Police confronted the armed suspect, who attempted to attack officers. He was shot in the legs to be subdued and is now under guard in hospital.
Authorities described the incident as a domestic dispute escalating into extreme violence. Local media reported the suspect had a history of mental health issues. The identities of the victims and the attacker have not been released pending investigation.
President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons expressed sorrow on social media, calling the attack “an unimaginable tragedy” and extending condolences to the families.
Suriname, a small nation of roughly 600,000 people, has comparatively low violent crime rates, though homicides rose in 2024. This incident is among the deadliest in recent years, shocking the nation.
