A chilling scene unfolded in northeastern Brazil as gunmen approached a local politician and his family during what appeared to be a peaceful evening conversation.
According to Daily Mail, Marcos de Araujo, a 57-year-old councilman from Tabuleiro do Norte, was fatally shot nine times while speaking with his mother-in-law outside his residence on Thursday night.
The attack occurred swiftly as two assailants approached de Araujo and opened fire while he was sitting with a woman carrying a dog and his 75-year-old mother-in-law, Marina Maia. In the chaos that ensued, Maia sustained gunshot wounds to her buttocks and back while the other woman managed to escape unharmed.
The assassination comes as a devastating blow to the Tabuleiro do Norte community, where de Araujo had recently secured his fourth term on the municipality's council in October. Beyond his role as councilman, he served as president of the city's chamber of commerce, establishing himself as a prominent figure in local governance.
The Tabuleiro do Norte city hall responded to the tragedy by declaring three days of mourning, recognizing the significant loss of a dedicated public servant. The incident has heightened concerns about political violence in the region, particularly following similar attacks on other officials.
The assailants, who fled the scene on a motorcycle, remained at large as of Friday morning, prompting an intensive police investigation into the murder. Authorities have not yet released information about potential motives or suspects in the case.
The murder of de Araujo follows a disturbing trend of violence against political figures in northeastern Brazil. Just four months earlier, Francisco de Oliveira, the mayor of João Dias, and his father were victims of a similar attack while campaigning.
De Oliveira, who was seeking reelection at the time, was conducting door-to-door visits when gunmen emerged from two vehicles and opened fire. The attack resulted in the deaths of both the mayor, who sustained 11 gunshot wounds, and his 58-year-old father, Sandi de Oliveira, while a security guard was wounded but survived.
The investigation into the João Dias attack has shown progress, with multiple arrests made on Friday morning, according to the Rio Grande do Norte Civil Police. However, a former mayor and a councilwoman suspected of involvement remain at large.
The recent wave of violence against political figures has intensified just one day after another high-profile incident involving Maurício Gonçalves, identified as the brother-in-law of Real Madrid striker Endrick's sister. The proximity of these attacks has raised serious questions about the safety of public officials in Brazil.
The assassination of de Araujo has particularly highlighted the vulnerability of local politicians who often lack extensive security measures. His murder carried out in front of his home while engaged in casual conversation with family members, demonstrates the brazen nature of such attacks.
Local authorities are now faced with the challenge of not only solving these crimes but also implementing measures to protect political figures from similar acts of violence. The investigation continues as the community mourns the loss of a respected public servant.
Marcos de Araujo, a four-term councilman and chamber of commerce president in Tabuleiro do Norte, was murdered outside his home during a conversation with family members on Thursday night. The assassination, which left his mother-in-law wounded and the community in shock was carried out by two gunmen who remain at large. As authorities pursue the investigation, the attack has sparked renewed debates about the security of public officials in Brazil's northeastern region.
