João Pessoa store owner killed in robbery; suspect had day off work

On Thursday, 2 May, an armed robbery at a cellphone shop in the José Américo neighbourhood of João Pessoa, Brazil, resulted in the death of the proprietor, Bruno de Mello. The victim was armed and was shot repeatedly by the assailants.

Police identified a 32‑year‑old male suspect, known as “Ninja”, who had taken a day off from his supermarket job the day of the crime. Delegada Emilia Ferraz said investigators confirmed the suspect was on leave, contradicting his earlier statements. He has a criminal record and had previously been investigated for involvement in an organized crime group. He was captured in the Oitizeiro neighbourhood, wearing a white‑and‑red shirt later recovered as evidence, and was recognized by two eyewitnesses. The suspect is detained at the João Pessoa Civil Police headquarters pending a custody hearing. A second suspect had already been arrested, and the vehicle used in the robbery was examined by authorities.