José Angel Morales Labarca, a 19-year-old Venezuelan migrant, was fatally shot on the afternoon of Saturday, October 7th, in front of a supermarket in the Buritis neighborhood of Boa Vista, Brazil. Working as a garbage collector, Morales was reportedly the victim of a robbery, as stated by the military police. Witnesses recounted that he was pursued by an armed assailant while riding his red motorcycle. In a desperate attempt to escape, he crashed his bike, only to be approached by his attacker who fired additional shots after he had fallen.

The incident occurred around 5:40 PM near the Avenida dos Bandeirantes. According to the police report, witnesses observed Morales being chased by the suspect, who was on foot and brandishing a firearm. The young man attempted to evade danger by accelerating against traffic on Avenida Manoel Felipe, but was unable to maintain control of his motorcycle and ultimately crashed just moments later.

As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, raising concerns about safety and crime in the area. This tragic event underscores the challenges faced by immigrants and the risks associated with crime in Brazilian urban centers, particularly for those in vulnerable positions such as Morales, who was working in a low-wage job. Authorities are under increasing pressure to address security issues as community members process the trauma of this violent incident.