Brazil: Influencer murdered in São Paulo gym shooting

Authorities in Brazil are investigating the execution of 33-year-old influencer Evandro Luiz Prudente, known on social media as the ‘sheikh of betting’ due to his involvement in sports gambling. The shooting occurred on the afternoon of August 25 at a gym in the Santana neighborhood of São José dos Campos, São Paulo.

Security footage captured the victim sitting in a waiting area looking at his mobile phone when an armed man entered and opened fire. Police recovered 16 shell casings at the scene, indicating a high level of violence. The assailant fled the scene on a motorcycle, which was later found abandoned near the gym.

Investigators are exploring several motives, including potential links to past criminal activities or business disputes. Police are specifically examining a 2022 case from Rio Grande do Sul involving allegations of predatory lending. In that instance, a debtor reported that Prudente had proposed a loan of 25,000 reais with a demand for repayment of 37,000 reais within 30 days.

Three suspects have been arrested in the state of Rio de Janeiro, though no weapons were found in their possession. While Prudente had a prior criminal record involving homicide and drug trafficking, his wife stated he had not received any recent threats.