Brazilian towns see rise in homicides

In Coronel Fabriciano, Minas Gerais, 43‑year‑old Marlon Cesar Ferreira was shot dead in the JK neighbourhood on 24 July. Police say he was ambushed by multiple gunfire and fell in a garage; it was the municipality's third homicide in less than 72 hours. Emergency services attended the scene, but the victim was already deceased when they arrived. The investigation is ongoing and no suspects have been apprehended.

A separate incident occurred in Varre‑Sai, Rio de Janeiro state, where 30‑year‑old Fabrício da Silva Soares, known as “Negueba”, was killed on the same day after a motorcycle rider opened fire on him in the Santa Lúcia neighbourhood. The killing ended almost a year without murders in the town. Authorities suspect a drug‑trafficking dispute as a motive; the suspect has been identified but not captured. Both shootings have heightened local concerns about violence and prompted police investigations.