Cowboy Francisco Eudazio Lira Soares, aged 30, known as Dadá Guedes, was stabbed to death by Darlei Teixeira Vitor, aged 55, nicknamed Sasom Boiadeiro. The crime occurred last Sunday (7), in the municipality of Quixeramobim, in the Central Sertão of Ceará, shortly after Guedes won a vaquejada competition. The homicide suspect remains at large.
The victim’s family reported that Sasom had charged a portion of the R$1,000 prize received by Dadá Guedes for first place in the event. The two men were celebrating their participation in the vaquejada along with other competitors moments before the attack. Dadá Guedes was hit with at least two stab wounds when he returned after receiving his trophy.
Who was the victim?
Francisco Eudazio Lira Soares, known as Dadá Guedes, was 30 years old and was stabbed to death in Quixeramobim. He was recognized as a talented cowboy, accumulating several awards in competitions in the Northeast region.
Resident in Quixeramobim and married for six years, Dadá Guedes had a challenging childhood, being raised by his grandparents. Vaquejadas represented not only a passion and talent recognized in the region, but also a path to social ascension and the realization of dreams, such as the common aspiration of many northeastern cowboys to own their own animals.
Who is the suspect?
Darlei Teixeira Vitor, 55 years old, also known as Sasom Boiadeiro, participated in the same vaquejada as the victim. However, he failed to qualify for the final stage of the event. According to the organization, Sasom worked with ox transport.
He was Dadá’s colleague and was with the victim at the celebrations for the result of the vaquejada. The suspect claimed a share of the prize, but the victim refused to share the amount.
A published image shows Sasom Boiadeiro on the left and Dadá Guedes on the right.
What event were they participating in?
Francisco Eudazio and Darlei Teixeira competed in the 1st Grande Vaquejada de Quixeramobim. The event was held during the inauguration of Ranch Custódio, between the 5th, 6th and 7th of June.
The total prize pool for the event was R$12,000. Of this amount, R$10,000 was allocated to the open category, and R$1,000 to each of the women’s and master’s categories.
What happened before the crime?
Dadá Guedes had recorded a video thanking him for winning the vaquejada competition moments before he was stabbed to death. The images were taken on Sunday night (7), in the interior of Ceará.
In the video, Dadá Guedes appeared happy, celebrating first place in the Ranch category alongside another competitor.
“I just have to thank God for everything he has done in my life. […] It’s not easy for the guy to do something like that. May God bless me, this time it was me, thank God”, said Dadá Guedes in his acceptance speech.
He also thanked the owner of the horse he rode, the animal’s handler and other collaborators. The cowboy ended his speech with a joke about having forgotten to mention his wife.
“Ah, now I was going to have a big problem. I forgot to thank my wife, who was here and left at that moment. What a big problem”, commented the vaquejada champion.
How did the crime occur?
According to a family member, Dadá Guedes was socializing with friends after his victory, and the suspect was also in the group.
According to the relative, the suspect started an argument, demanding that the cowboy share the prize money with people who were not part of the team. The victim denied the request.
After the initial confusion, Dadá Guedes left to collect the trophy. Upon returning and before dismounting his horse, the cowboy was stabbed in the groin and another in the shoulder.
Dadá Guedes was rescued and taken to a hospital in the region, but he succumbed to his injuries and died in the health unit. The suspect fled the scene on a motorcycle.