A carnival celebration called 'Carnaval na Marcos de Macedo' in Guadalupe, located in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro, turned deadly in the early hours of Wednesday, February 18. The event, which lasted for four days and was organized by local councilmen Fábio Silva and Marcos Dias of the Podemos party, saw escalating tensions and reports of armed individuals in the vicinity leading up to the incident. Witnesses noted that there were disturbances every day of the carnival, creating an atmosphere of fear among attendees and nearby residents.

The victim has been identified as 32-year-old José Ailton de Sales Junior, who was shot during a dispute on Rua Marcos de Macedo. Despite being transported by a private vehicle to the Carlos Chagas State Hospital in Marechal Hermes, he was pronounced dead upon arrival. This violent occurrence highlights a troubling trend of security issues during public festivities in Rio de Janeiro, where both residents and attendees have been increasingly vocal about their fears of violence at such events.

Local witnesses claimed to have experienced an environment of insecurity throughout the festival's duration, with reports of regular conflicts. One anonymous vendor described the constant presence of tension, suggesting that the organizing authorities need to reassess public safety measures for large gatherings. This incident raises questions about public event management and the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of participants during celebratory events in neighborhoods that face high levels of violent crime.