‘He died in my arms’: Mother saw neighbour shoot son in Carraceda de Ansiaes

André Moreira, 37, and his brother Flávio, 26, had just arrived at the street where they lived in Areias, Carraceda de Ansiaes, when they were shot dead by a 76-year-old neighbour. André died on the spot, while his brother was in serious condition. The victims’ mother, 54-year-old Maria Estela, was watching. She lost consciousness and had to be taken to hospital.

The shooter took refuge at home, but while trying to save himself, he fell and was injured. In the meantime, he was detained. In addition to the pistol used, the NSR also confiscated a shotgun.

The attack may have been motivated by a land dispute. Neighbours from house to house, the shooter and the victims would have severed ties. On Sunday lunchtime, André had just returned from the fields and Flavio was returning from work in Aguas de Carraceda de Ansiains (where he had been picketing). The killer’s son allegedly accused André of driving a tractor across their land, but the victim denied it. The killer walked up to him silently, pulled a pistol from his pocket and fired at point-blank range, hitting André in the stomach. He then fired another shot at Flavio, wounding him.

According to neighbors, the victims’ mother “was about to call her children for dinner” at the time of the attack. Their screams alerted residents. One of them says he even ran to Andre, trying to revive him: “I tried everything, but he died in my arms.”

The population classifies the aggressor as a conflict person. “He has few friends in the village. He doesn’t talk to anyone,” says local resident Jose Lopez, recalling that “the two boys got along with everyone.”

Some say that several years ago, an elderly man allegedly shot and killed another resident while not serving a prison sentence. The son was arrested last year for setting fires near the village.

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Population in shock and families receiving psychological support
The people of Arejas were shocked by the attack, which took place at lunchtime. At the time, residents were at home and were alerted by the cries of relatives of the victims. “I heard people screaming and crying,” says Jose Lopez. The family is receiving psychological support.

The judiciary has collected evidence
After the attack, the shooter was detained by the Polish People’s Republic, who handed him over to the judicial police, which is responsible for investigating murders. Inspectors were working at the scene to collect evidence.

Helicopter with engine
An INEM helicopter was also called to transport the 37-year-old man. However, the victim did not survive and died on the spot.