The mayor of the Brazilian city of Sao Jose de Campestre in the interior of the state of Rio Grande do Norte was shot dead in his own home. The crime took place late on Tuesday evening local time, mid-morning on Wednesday in Portugal.
Josailson Borges da Costa, 44, known locally as Nenem Borges, was shot at least four times at close range. He was at the residence with his wife, children and other family members when he was taken by surprise by the killers.
According to local police, at least four criminals broke into the mayor’s house, and the gunman, whose identity has yet to be established, was described by witnesses as a short and thin man. The government of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, located in the northeast of Brazil, sent reinforcements to the police of Sao José de Campestre to help solve the crime.
Josailson was a very popular politician in the region, and the brutal murder shocked the townspeople. He was in his second term as mayor of the city, being re-elected with 63% of the vote, and it is still not clear if his death was a political crime or had other motives.