Suspect of participating in the death of a tourist in a restaurant in Porto de Galinhas is arrested in SC

The prisoner is Daniel de Souza, 39, who was already known to the Pernambuco Civil Police for allegedly being one of the leaders of a criminal organization operating in the region.

In a note sent to the reporter this Tuesday (14), lawyer Ivanilson Albuquerque, responsible for Daniel's defense, stated that his client will demonstrate throughout the process that he "did not contribute to the crime being investigated".

"Daniel de Souza has been collaborating with the search for the real truth since the inquisitorial phase. He has a specific and defined address, has never been on the run and has only exercised his constitutional right to defend himself in freedom", says the note. The defense also states that it trusts institutions and Justice and “reaffirms the presumption of innocence”.

Rafael's death occurred on January 4, after an argument between him and Daniel, inside the Caldinho do Nenen restaurant. The police investigation was concluded in March and handed over to the Public Ministry, which filed charges against Daniel and two other men, Edson Paulo da Silva and Kelvyn Michael da Silva. The complaint was accepted in April by the State Court.

Responsible for the investigation, delegate Marina Delgado stated that the motivation for the crime was banal. "There was an argument between the victim and a leader of a criminal organization [Daniel]. They were surprised. And then, with the arrival of the victim's wife at the restaurant, one of the people who accompanied Daniel made a joke, and the victim didn't like it. Then they got into a verbal fight again," she said.

"As the fight escalated, Daniel went to the victim and hit him with the gun," the deputy continued. At the time of Daniel's attack, Kelvyn fired two shots at the victim, who died at the scene.

Videos taken by customers, which were circulated on social media at the time, showed the attempt to help the victim shortly after the shots.

"The victim has a criminal history, but an old one, and the investigations did not show any connection between this and his murder," said the delegate, adding that Rafael and Daniel did not know each other. She also explains that, although the person who fired the shots was Kelvyn, Daniel was in control of the incident and was also indicted on suspicion of murder.

According to the investigator, Kelvyn and Edson fled immediately after the shots and stole a car from a Rio tourist. Daniel still remained at the scene along with other people who accompanied him, including two armed men who acted as his security guards. "Daniel still paid the table bill in cash in the amount of R$4,000. Then he left naturally", the delegate told Folha.

At the end of the police investigation, Daniel and Kelvyn were indicted on suspicion of murder. Kelvyn will also be charged with theft, as will Edson. Daniel's two security guards were not identified throughout the investigation, according to the delegate.

Kelvyn was arrested in Bahia in early June. In a note sent to the reporter this Tuesday, lawyer Maria Julia Leonel Barbosa stated that her client "has had a collaborative stance since the beginning of the investigations" and that she believes in the institutions "so that the judgment and assessment of the facts occurs in a fair and legal manner."

"This opportunity is also taken to express Kelvyn's desire to apologize not only to the victim's family and friends, but also to society and, above all, to his newborn son, who will have to endure growing up away from his father's presence", the note continues.

Edson was murdered in February, under circumstances that have not yet been clarified. The case is being investigated at a police station in Jaboatão dos Guararapes (PE).

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