Gunshots interrupt Catholic festival in Sobral, Ceará; a young man died

A Catholic festival had its program interrupted by gunshots at Arena Aeroporto, in Sobral, in the interior of Ceará, on Monday night (9). A young man was hit by gunfire and died in the parking lot.

The event, titled Peace Festival, was broadcast live on the internet, and the images recorded the moment when presenters and musicians interrupted the performance and ducked on stage to protect themselves from gunfire.

When the shots stopped, people who were watching the event began to pray a Hail Mary. Then the live internet broadcast stopped and resumed about 5 minutes later.

Upon returning to the stage, the couple presenting the event calmed the audience and informed that the incident had not occurred inside the arena where the event was being held.

"We just received from the production that we can remain calm, there was nothing here inside the festival Arena. Everything is under control. You can see some movement outside, but we want to ask everyone to remain calm, because we need to pray for peace", said the man who was on stage.

The Peace Festival began last Saturday (7) and is scheduled to run until this Tuesday (10). The program includes masses, worship and musical performances. The last day of the event will celebrate the 111 years of the Diocese of Sobral and will include a mass with Friar Gilson.

According to witnesses, the shooting victim was Antônio da Silva Mendes Neto, 20 years old. He was working in the parking lot, controlling vehicle access at Arena Aeroporto.

After being hit by the shots, Antônio still ran to try to escape, but fell shortly afterwards, in an area behind where the stage was set up. The crime suspects fled.

The governor of Ceará, Elmano de Freitas, in a post on social media commented on the crime in the parking lot of the Catholic festival and informed that he will reinforce policing in the city.

"I ordered the Secretary of Security to send more police reinforcements, all the contingent and equipment that are necessary. And that they not leave Sobral until complete pacification. Zero tolerance for these criminals who threaten the peace", published Governor Elmano.

Violence in the city has intensified in recent days and, just last week, an employee of the Sobral Autonomous Water and Sewage Service (SAAE) and a trader were murdered.