Tanguá councilor Alexsandro Gusmão Duarte assassinated in Rio de Janeiro

Alexsandro Gusmão Duarte, a 45-year-old city councilor known as ‘Sandrinho Oficina do Som’, was assassinated by gunfire in the center of Tanguá, Rio de Janeiro. The attack occurred on a Thursday night while the Progressistas (PP) member was at a local establishment. Witnesses reported that occupants of a vehicle stopped in front of the location and opened fire before fleeing.

During the shooting, the councilor’s brother was also hit and sustained injuries to his leg; he was treated at the Darcy Vargas Regional Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition. Duarte was rushed to a medical unit in Rio Bonito but succumbed to his wounds.

The Tanguá Municipal Chamber has declared three days of official mourning, suspending legislative activities. The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro, specifically the Homicide Police Station for Niterói, São Gonçalo, and Itaboraí, are investigating the murder. While the motive remains unclear, reports noted that Duarte had recently mentioned facing ‘political persecution’ during a session at the Chamber. He was serving his first term after being elected in 2024.