doelgerichte afrekening in Sampa

Zeker twintig mensen zijn in de nacht van donderdag op vrijdag doodgeschoten in de groot São Paulo (dat is de stad zelf plus de opgeslokte kleinere steden in de omgeving). Dat melden diverse Braziliaanse media gisteren en was groot nieuws bij de tv journaals. Onbekend is wie er achter de vuurgevechten zitten en wat het motief is. Maar het heeft er alle schijn van een afrekening in het criminele circuit. Zo is er gebruik gemaakt van (leger)wapens en is er zeer gericht te werk gegaan. Er zijn ook nog diverse gewonden.

De BBC schreef dit:

Gunmen have killed at least 18 people on the outskirts of Brazil's largest city, Sao Paulo, in a series of overnight attacks.Witnesses in several locations said masked gunmen pulled up in a car before opening fire.In many cases they checked the victims' names before shooting, or asked if they had criminal records.

The authorities in Sao Paulo are investigating the possibility that they were targeted killings.The killings have all the hallmarks of revenge attacks - perhaps carried out by off-duty policemen or vigilantes - against drugs traffickers or known criminals, says the BBC's Wyre Davies. Two policemen were killed in the city last week. Police say the number of victims is much higher than in previous incidents.