Murder involving suspect linked to the PCC intrigues police and causes fear in São Paulo's grassroots football community

The murder of 19-year-old Richard Martins da Silva shocked São Paulo's amateur soccer community. Shot dead on August 30, the young man was participating in a match between Conexão da Toca and Garotos da 2 at the Jardim Petronita Community Club in the Grajaú district, in the city's South Zone. The main suspect is on the run and, according to authorities, is a leader of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC).

The victim worked at a grocery store in Vila Progresso and, that afternoon, was acting as a makeshift coach for the local team. After being involved in one of the three fights recorded during the game, Richard was caught leaving the Petronita Community Center.

The suspect returned to the scene on a motorcycle, wearing the rival team's uniform and carrying a gun. Before shooting, he lifted his helmet to make himself recognizable. He then fired 16 shots at close range, most of them into the young man's head.

Another Conexão fan was also hit in the shoulder, but received treatment at a nearby health unit and is not in danger of dying.

Silence and fear after the execution

The crime garnered attention on social media in the first few hours after the incident, but it quickly disappeared. Richard's team's page, for example, was subsequently deactivated, and witnesses refused to cooperate with the police.

In the words of a club director interviewed by 'O Globo', everyone is fearful. "Everyone is afraid to appear or speak," he said.

Police suspect the killer received "retroactive authorization" from the so-called "criminal tribunal." This would be considered an act of retaliation accepted by PCC leaders.

Despite the suspicions, authorities still lack sufficient information to request the suspect's pre-trial detention—nor to conduct a search for weapons. None of the witnesses interviewed during the investigation identified the shooter.

What about the local tournament?

The game was part of the "2nd Petronita CDC Knockout Tournament" — a local grassroots competition with a R$4,000 prize. Despite the homicide, the tournament continued without interruption.

The club's management, while formally denying any involvement with the event, appears linked to the organization on social media. When questioned by the police, the CDC management stated that the venue's security camera was inoperative due to technical issues and that there was no footage of the crime.

The camp was crowded at the time of the crime, and the main gate was blocked by a car, preventing people from entering or leaving. Some describe the atmosphere as "tense" at the scene, and fear grew in the following days.

"We know it's better not to say anything," admitted a local shopkeeper. A resident near the emergency room where the injured fan received treatment reiterated: "We hear about it. But we don't want to get involved."

Silent mourning

Richard's burial took place on the day he would have turned 20, September 1st. Marked by indignation, the wake also saw strong emotion from family and friends.

The Petronita CDC condemned the violence and expressed regret for the incident in a brief statement posted on social media, but without any direct mention of the homicide.

Police, meanwhile, continue to struggle to advance their investigation due to the silence of witnesses and the lack of footage. According to investigators, the lack of formal complaints from the victim's family also reflects fears of retaliation.

"If no one has come to demand justice, then they expect it to come from somewhere else," said an agent involved in the case.

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