Amapá, Brazil: A homicide involving a land dispute shocked the municipality of Amapá, located 310 km from Macapá, this Saturday (23). The crime, which was recorded on video, resulted in the death of Antônio Candeia Oliveira, 72 years old, known as "Maranhão". Businessman Francisco Canindé, husband of the elected mayor Kelly Lobato (União), was arrested in flagrante after presenting himself at the police station. The crime occurred around 4 pm on a farm. In the video (which will not be posted here) , Antônio Candeia appears arguing with someone inside a pickup truck, who, according to the SN Portal, would be Francisco Canindé. Initially, the argument is watched from a distance by Antônio Carlos Lima de Araújo, 59 years old, a former Army soldier, who is dressed in black, and Canindé's brother-in-law.

The images show Araújo (always with one hand behind his back) watching the elderly man who was arguing heatedly with Canindé (inside the pickup truck) about a land deal. After a brief argument and insults from both sides, Araújo pushes Candeia. The two leave the frame, but the sounds of gunshots are recorded.

The cell phone films the two again. The injured elderly man tries to get something from a plastic bag, and the two start to fight. Araújo appears grabbing the elderly man's hand, which is holding a revolver. Seriously injured, the victim is unable to fire a shot. Amidst the confusion, the young man recording the scenes shouts desperately:

"Don't do that! We didn't come to kill anyone!" Soon after, he leaves the place, apparently crying.

Antônio Candeia falls unconscious and dies on the spot.

Investigation points to premeditation

The police chief in charge of the case, Stephano Dagher, believes that the crime may have been premeditated. According to him, the group provoked the victim to justify a violent reaction and claim self-defense.

"He [the elderly man] really did have a gun in his hand when he fell. But, for me, that is the real reason why they filmed it: to make it seem like it was self-defense. Everything was provoked and planned to look like a reaction. I understood that, from the beginning, the perpetrator forced the situation so that the victim would pull out the gun," the police chief told Portal SN.

Arrests and searches

Francisco Canindé appeared at the Amapá police station accompanied by his lawyer. He was arrested on the spot, accused of being the mastermind behind the murder, and is expected to undergo a custody hearing this Sunday (24). Portal SN has not yet been able to contact the defense.

Antônio Araújo, identified as the shooter, is on the run