The funeral services for Paulo César da Silva Souza, a beloved 65-year-old capoeira master known as Mestre Sabiá, were held at Parque da Colina cemetery in Niterói, following his tragic death due to gun violence. He was shot on Wednesday, February 18, and his death has shocked his family and the local community, with many expressing their grief and disbelief over the loss of such an esteemed figure in the capoeira culture. His sister, Adriana Possobom, described him as a special person who had no known enemies, highlighting the senseless nature of the crime and the impact it has had on those who knew him.

Authorities from the Niterói, São Gonçalo, and Itaboraí Homicide Division are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding Souza's death, seeking to uncover both the assailants responsible for the shooting and the motivation behind it. They have indicated that they are reviewing security footage from the area as part of their efforts to solve the case. Mestre Sabiá was renowned for promoting the culture of capoeira around the world, and his untimely death raises concerns about public safety and the prevalence of violent crime in Brazil, particularly in metropolitan areas like Rio de Janeiro, where gun violence has been an ongoing issue. This incident not only devastates his family and friends but also the broader capoeira community that will miss his contributions and passion for this cultural art form.