A shocking incident unfolded on a Friday night in Jandira, a municipality in Sao Paulo state, when a gunman fired from a vehicle near a politician’s home, killing a man affiliated with the Workers Party who had recently been active in both local and national political circles. The deceased, known by the nickname Zezinho, was connected to ongoing political work before his death shook the community.
Reginaldo Camilo dos Santos, 51, had recently run for a seat in the federal parliament in the October elections, garnering nearly 9,000 votes but not securing a mandate. He had previously stood as the mayoral candidate for Jandira in 2020, finishing third after serving as a city councilor. In the days before the assault, online images circulated showing PT figures, including Fernando Haddad, campaigning with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for upcoming gubernatorial and presidential races. [Citation: local news reports and campaign coverage attributed to PT supporters.]
Metropolitan Civil Guard authorities stated that the motive behind the crime remained unclear at the time of reporting. A federal lawmaker from the PT, Jilmar Tatto, offered testimony suggesting a link to political tensions. Early statements raised the possibility of a hate crime, though investigators stressed the need for careful examination before drawing conclusions.
Witnesses described an episode in which a person shouting slogans associated with Bolsonaro sped past the scene. Zezinho allegedly directed remarks at Lula during the confrontation, and the gunman then fired three times. Officials noted that the current climate of political hostility might have influenced the attack, but a definitive connection could not be established immediately. [Citation: police and witness testimony summarized by local press.]
The incident occurred just days before a high-stakes election described by observers as one of the most polarized in recent Brazilian history. Previous elections with intense rhetoric have, in some cases, been followed by threats and violence, underscoring the fragility of political discourse in a highly charged environment. This event contributes to growing concerns about safety and the ability of political processes to proceed without fear or intimidation. [Citation: retrospective analyses from political observers.]