| Aracruz school shootings | |
| Location: | Aracruz, Espírito Santo, Brazil |
| Timezone: | BRT (UTC-3) |
| Type: | Mass shooting, school shooting, spree shooting |
| Weapons: | |
| Fatalities: | 4 |
| Injuries: | 12 |
| Perpetrator: | Gabriel Rodrigues Castiglioni |
The Aracruz school shootings were a shooting spree that occurred on November 25, 2022, at two schools in Aracruz, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Four people were killed, and 12 others were injured. The suspect, a 16-year-old former student at one of the schools, was arrested approximately four hours later.[1] [2] [3]
The shootings began at around 9:30 a.m. and occurred at two schools located on the same street.[1] [4] The gunman, who wore camouflaged clothing, an armband with a swastika, a skull mask, and a bucket hat, broke into the Primo Bitti Elementary and Middle School, a public school serving elementary and middle school students, after destroying a lock. There, he shot 11 people, killing two teachers. A third teacher died a day later.[1] [5]
Afterwards, the gunman drove to the Educational Center Praia de Coqueiral, a private school.[1] Entering at 9:49 a.m. through the unlocked gates, he shot an additional three people, killing a female 6th-grade student. The gunman fled again a minute later and remained at large for approximately 4 hours. Later, the Military Police released a statement confirming that a suspect was in custody.[1] [6]
The victims of the attacks were identified by multiple news sources:
After the shootings, Aracruz announced the suspension of all classes at municipal schools.[11]
The Aracruz mayor said this was "the largest tragedy this city has ever seen".[12] Renato Casagrande, the governor of Espírito Santo, said he would pay attention to the case with "much regret and sadness".[13] He also declared three days of official mourning in the state.[5] President-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva posted on Twitter, "My solidarity to the families of the victims in this absurd tragedy."[14]
Gabriel Rodrigues Castiglioni was reportedly active in online neo-Nazi communities which promoted militant accelerationism - including Terrorgram.[15] In addition to this, the attire he wore during the attack bared a strong resemblance in style to the uniforms worn by members of the Atomwaffen Division.[16] A homemade Nazi flag emblem can also been seen on the shoulder sleeve of Rodrigues' camouflage wear.[17] [18]
