An influencer’s boyfriend was killed while shielding her from a hail of bullets during a drive-by shooting.
The ambush has been linked to a rivalry with another influencer.
Renata Cristina, who has nearly 50,000 Instagram fans, was standing outside her home with partner João Bosco Cabral when the alleged attack took place.
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A white Amarok pickup truck was cruising past the property when an armed man suddenly opened fire.
João jumped in front of the influencer to protect her, reportedly taking six bullets to his chest and abdomen.
The 22-year-old died at the scene.
Renata was wounded by a gunshot to the clavicle and is currently recovering in hospital.
The alleged drive-by shooting took place in Londrina in southern Brazil at around 11.45pm on Sunday (31 May).
Renata told reporters her boyfriend reacted instinctively to shield her as the shots rang out.
She said on Tuesday: “My partner lost his life, he was totally innocent.
“João Bosco stepped in front of me, that’s what happened.”
The influencer added that he died “for something so banal, a silly argument”.
The couple had been together for about four months and had moved in together about a month earlier.
They celebrated their relationship milestone the day before the tragedy.
João Bosco worked as a distributor and was not involved in crime, Renata stressed, addressing social media speculation after a photo of him holding a gun circulated.
Police are investigating the killing as a possible targeted homicide linked to a long-running feud between Renata and another local influencer, Luana.
The pair had a prior conflict involving alleged threats, defamation and a legal complaint filed by Renata, as reported by Need To Know.
Hours before the shooting, both women and their partners had been at the same drinks store but without direct confrontation.
Investigators believe the suspects, including Luana’s boyfriend Pedro Henrique, went looking for Renata at commercial spots before driving to the couple’s home in the Vila Romana neighbourhood.
A brief argument preceded the gunfire, according to reports.
The pickup truck was later found abandoned nearby and seized for forensic examination.
Luana’s aunt has publicly accused Renata of provoking the dispute and threatening her niece, claiming she filmed and harassed Luana.
Renata denies issuing threats.
Both influencers have given statements to the police, who continue to hunt down the shooter.
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