A 26-year-old man, Kennedy Rodrigues Campos, was murdered out of homophobia, and two suspects have been arrested in connection to the crime as authorities continue their investigation.
Kennedy Rodrigues Campos, a 26-year-old man, was murdered in a violent act motivated by homophobia, according to the local Civil Police. The delegate, Luis Mauro Sampaio, reported that a 19-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy were arrested after admitting they were offered weapons and drugs in exchange for committing the heinous act of killing a 'faggot.' The police are now looking into the existence of the group that allegedly encouraged this attack and the motivations behind targeting Campos specifically.
Sampaio detailed that the victim, Kennedy, was not necessarily the original target but became one due to a supposed debt related to drugs. During the fatal altercation, the 19-year-old held Campos while the minor inflicted the stab wound, indicating a calculated attack assisted by at least two individuals. This has raised serious concerns regarding gang influences and the normalization of hate crimes in society, prompting further investigation into the dynamics and motivations behind the crime.
As the investigation proceeded, the 19-year-old suspect was charged with qualified homicide due to base motives, the use of cruel means, and actions that hindered the victim's ability to defend himself. The potential sentences for the charges against him could exceed 28 years in prison, while the minor's case was referred to juvenile court, emphasizing the legal distinctions made for young offenders in Brazil.
