The Secretary of Public Security of São Paulo (SSP-SP), João Camilo Pires, said today (17) that the police are investigating all hypotheses about the shooting that happened this morning, around 11:40 am, in the community of Paraisópolis, in the capital. São Paulo, and that made the candidate for the government of São Paulo Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans) have to suspend his agenda in the region. In a press conference held this afternoon, at the agency’s headquarters, the secretary said that no hypothesis will be ruled out, but that he considers it premature to say that there was an attack.
“It’s premature to say that,” he said. “No hypothesis is dismissed, however, with the data we have so far, I do not consider this fact to go against what the candidate himself commented. [de ter sido um atentado]. Maybe noise with the police presence [para proteger o candidato]maybe intimidation, but we’re going to dig deeper into it,” he said.
“There was indeed a noise because of the police presence in that area, so the shooting took place more or less between 50 or 100 meters from where the candidate’s team was. Of course, this scares, scares everyone and the measures to be taken were the correct ones, which was the interruption of the event and the withdrawal of the team to preserve everyone’s safety “, said the secretary.
Images circulating on social media show the candidate’s team, journalists and photographers needing to protect themselves on the floor of a building, while many gunshots are heard. According to the secretary, now the police will investigate where the shooting took place, at what distance and what was the motivation for it to occur.
For now, the information is that a group of about eight armed people, two of them with long weapons, as rifles and other weapons of the type are usually identified, would have entered the community and found police officers. A school van, which was in the firing line, was hit by gunfire. There were no injuries.
On his social media, candidate Tarcísio de Freitas wrote that he and his team were doing well. “During a visit to the First University Pole of Paraisópolis, we were attacked by criminals. Our security team was quickly reinforced with the brilliant performance of the Military Police of the state of São Paulo”, wrote the candidate.
The secretary confirmed that one person was shot during the shooting and died. According to him, this person had a criminal record for theft. “The circumstances of the death will be the subject of investigation,” he said.
In his social networks, the community leader of Paraisópolis and president of the G10 Favelas, Gilson Rodrigues, regretted what happened. He informed that he is in Salvador (BA) this week and that he was not aware of the candidates’ agenda today in the community of Paraisópolis.
“It is important to point out, however, that no representative of the G10 Favelas or the Union of Residents and Commerce of Paraisópolis – entity that represents the community, was aware of any agenda of candidates in the community on that date. none of the names running for elected office in this election,” he wrote.
“Paraisópolis has a tradition of receiving politicians, authorities, artists and personalities, being recognized as a peaceful and organized community”, added Gilson.
repercussion
President Jair Bolsonaro said this afternoon, at Palácio do Alvorada, that he was already aware of the shooting, but that it was premature to talk about it. Bolsonaro suggested to the Republican candidate to strengthen his security. “Tarcísio can request security from the competent bodies. I’ve been talking to him about it. This event today, whether or not against him, is a sign that he should be even more concerned about his safety,” said the president.
In a note, the governor of São Paulo, Rodrigo Garcia, said that he spoke with Tarcísio’s team and that he was informed that they are all fine. “The Military Police acted quickly and ensured everyone’s safety. I ordered an immediate investigation into the incident,” he said.
The PT candidate for the government of São Paulo, Fernando Haddad, spoke about what happened. “I repudiate any and all forms of violence. This is valid for 2018, 2020, 2022. I have always worked in the field of political dignity, of contributing with proposals, this is how I have behaved since I entered public life,” he said.
