Eight Deaths in Massacre at Corinthians Organized Fans' Headquarters

04/20/2015 - 09h42

Eight men died late Saturday night, April 18, in a massacre at the headquarters of Pavilhão Nove, Corinthians's organized fans' organization, in the west zone of São Paulo. The police said a celebration was occurring at the site at the moment of the attack.

DHPP (Homicide and People Protection Department) sheriff Arlindo José Negrão Vaz doesn't believe the attack was the result of a fight between fan organizations. The main investigation line is that the deaths had some connection with drug trafficking.

Witnesses told the police that three men invaded the organization's court, which is under Remédios bridge, near Tietê avenue in São Paulo at about 11:00 pm. The police say the killers told the people to lie on the ground and shot seven of them in the head.

Witnesses also said that the three men are white and were wearing jackets but weren't masked. An initial investigation by the police shows that security cameras in the region showed some people fleeing from the scene but not the entrance of the criminals.

The eight people who were killed were participating in a monthly party called Quebrada Corinthiana. At the moment of the crime, the party had already ended and most of the participants had left. The group was getting ready to paint new flags when the criminals approached. The flags were outstretched on the floor to be painted.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

Read the article in the original language