Elderly man killed by coworker after homophobic joke in BH marble shop Por Luís Henrique Costa
3 min de leitura
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Dirceu Pereira Batista, a 63-year-old man, was shot dead by coworker Luiz Henrique Santos Barbosa after a homophobic joke. The murder occurred on the morning of October 2, 2025, at a marble shop in the Aarão Reis neighborhood, northern Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. The prior dispute prompted the threat and subsequent attack.
The victim had been working at the site for three months and wore an electronic ankle monitor due to a prior drug trafficking conviction.
Police arrived quickly at the establishment and provided initial aid.
- Dirceu was shot in the chest area.
- He was taken to Risoleta Neves Hospital, where his death was confirmed.
- The suspect fled initially but was apprehended on a highway.
Background of the dispute
The conflict began the previous day when Dirceu made an offensive remark related to the suspect’s time in prison.
Luiz Henrique left work early after explicitly threatening to kill the victim.
Witnesses confirmed the escalating tension in the workplace.
The marble shop owner reported growing friction between the employees.
Details of the attack
Luiz Henrique returned to the site around 8 a.m., accompanied by an unidentified accomplice.
Both were armed and fired a single shot at the victim.
Security cameras recorded the invasion and the swift action of the perpetrators.
The duo fled in a vehicle after the incident.
Capture of the main suspect
Officers located Luiz Henrique in Matozinhos, in the Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Region.
He confessed to the crime, claiming Dirceu physically assaulted him.
During the arrest, two submachine guns, ammunition, and 17 packages of marijuana were seized.
The suspect tried to avoid immediate arrest, informing his mother he would turn himself in after three days.
Weapons and evidence found
The police identified the vehicle used in the escape as belonging to the suspect.
Perforations in the victim were confirmed in the left scapular and clavicular regions.
Investigations continue to capture the second individual involved.
The case highlights the presence of illegal weapons in the crime’s context.
Police procedures
The suspect’s mother assisted in his location by maintaining phone contact.
The investigation progresses with analysis of footage and witness statements.
The homicide was recorded as motivated by workplace intolerance.
The suspect remains detained for formal questioning.
