At least 12 persons were killed and three injured during a shootout at a new year party in Brazil, police said.

The attack took place in the city of Campinas near Sao Paulo on Sunday when a man climbed the wall of a house and shot his ex-wife, his eight-year-old son and other relatives before turning the gun on himself, police said.

More ammunition was found on his body, media reported.

The 40-year-old man had not accepted the separation. A witness heard the man saying he would kill his ex-wife after she won the custody of their child.
  

According to a neighbour, one of the injured escaped the house to fetch help.

The identities of the deceased have not been made public but nine men, two women and a child were among the dead.