Aracruz school shootings

The shootings began at around 9:30 a.m. and occurred at two schools located on the same street.^[1][4] The gunman, who wore camouflaged clothing, an armband with a swastika, a skull mask, and a bucket hat, broke into the Primo Bitti Elementary and Middle School, a public school serving elementary and middle school students, after destroying a lock. There, he shot 11 people, killing two teachers. A third teacher died a day later.^[1][3][5]

Afterwards, the gunman drove to the Educational Center Praia de Coqueiral, a private school.^[1][3] Entering at 9:49 a.m. through the unlocked gates,^[4] he shot an additional three people, killing a female 6th-grade student.^[3] The gunman fled again a minute later^[4] and remained at large for approximately 4 hours. Later, the Military Police released a statement confirming that a suspect was in custody.^[1][6]

The victims of the attacks were identified by multiple news sources:

1. Selena Zagrillo, 12^[7]
2. Maria da Penha Pereira de Melo Banhos, 48^[7]
3. Cybelle Passos Bezerra Lara, 45^[8]
4. Flavia Amoss Merçon Leonardo, 38^[9]

After the shootings, Aracruz announced the suspension of all classes at municipal schools.^[10]

The Aracruz mayor said this was "the largest tragedy this city has ever seen".^[11] Renato Casagrande, the governor of Espírito Santo, said he would pay attention to the case with "much regret and sadness".^[12] He also declared three days of official mourning in the state.^[5] President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva posted on Twitter, "My solidarity to the families of the victims in this absurd tragedy."^[13]

Gabriel Rodrigues Castiglioni was reportedly active in online neo-Nazi communities which promoted accelerationism - including Terrorgram.^[14][15] In addition to this, the attire he wore during the attack bared a strong resemblance in style to the uniforms worn by members of the Atomwaffen Division.^[16] A homemade Nazi flag emblem can also been seen on the shoulder sleeve of Rodrigues' camouflage wear.^[17][18]