Palmas records four homicides in one week; Tocantins has more than 180 cases in 2026

Across Tocantins, the number has exceeded 180 homicides since January. According to the Brazilian Public Security Forum, the state has a rate of 19.3 homicides for every 100,000 inhabitants. This number is more than double the rate recorded in the state of São Paulo, which remains at 7.8.

In a statement to TV Anhanguera, the Tocantins Public Security Secretariat said that the recent cases, registered in Palmas, are being investigated by the 1st Homicide and Personal Protection Division. He also stated that, in the last four years, Tocantins had a "significant reduction" in the rates of lethal violence, and that the state has the lowest homicide rate among the north and northeast regions.

According to the president of the Human Rights Commission of the Tocantins Bar Association, Cristian Ribas, there is no way to contain the advance of criminal factions without the advancement and strengthening of public policies.

"The state of Tocantins, as well as the administrations of our largest cities, have not been able to provide answers to face these serious public security problems. We are always chasing losses and drying up ice. Because those who most need public policies and the presence of the State to be protected from the reach of factions are those who receive the least and have the least access to these public policies", says Cristian.

For professor Frederico Afonso, a specialist in public security, combating violence can only be effective if there is planning. "It's sitting down with the authorities, which are the mayors, governors, secretaries, not just the Secretary of Public Security. The city manager has to understand his city. 'Ah, it's a faction, let them kill each other'. It's not like that, you can't consider human beings lost", he concludes.

Tocantins recorded seven homicides in just one week in October. In addition to the four crimes recorded in Palmas, three other incidents were recorded in the interior of the state, two in Araguaína, in the northern region, and one in Barrolândia, in the central region.

Four people were killed in just seven days in Palmas. On Sunday (11), Gildevan Vieira da Silva, 28 years old, was shot dead in a car in Taquaralto, in the southern region of Palmas.

On Friday (9), an 18-year-old young man was shot dead inside a barbershop in the Jardim Aureny III sector. The victim was identified by the Civil Police as Welington Alves Costa. Two other people who were close to the barbershop and a distributor were injured. One of them was hit in the shoulder and right hand, and the other suffered injuries to the lower back.

The nursing technician, João Matheus Aguiar Souza, aged 26, was shot dead on Wednesday (7), while returning home on a motorcycle after accompanying his father to a bus station in Jardim Aureny III.

On Monday (5), Keginaldo Primo dos Santos was killed at the age of 33 after men broke into the house where he lived and shot him with a firearm, in the Morada do Sol 3 sector. The victim worked in the cleaning sector of the General Hospital of Palmas (HGP).