A police officer shot Marcelo Arruda, who was a member of the Workers’ Party (PT) of Brazil, when the victim was celebrating his 50th birthday. The officer was shouting slogans in favor of President Jair Bolsonaro. Marcelo drew a gun and shot him dead before dying.

Marcelo Arruda, who was also armed, shot back, killing Guaranho, according to a PT statement, witnesses and video.

A local official from Brazil’s “leftist” opposition Workers’ Party (PT) was shot dead on Saturday by a federal prison guard shouting support for right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, according to a state civil police report and a witness.

The murder occurred in the southern city of Foz do Iguazú, in the western region of Paraná, at the hands of federal prison agent Jorge José da Rocha Guaranho, who first showed up at the scene and then returned armed and began shooting at the PT leader, whose party was being celebrated on the theme of the PT and Lula.

Pâmela Suellen Silva, Marcelo Arruda’s partner

Earlier, at a campaign rally, a man was arrested after throwing a homemade explosive into the crowd waiting for Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Due to the threat, the candidate for the Presidency of Brazil used a bulletproof vest for the first time in an open act.

The death of the two men augurs badly ahead of an October election that many expect to become highly fraught in politically polarized Brazil. Leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is the PT’s presidential candidate and currently leads Bolsonaro in polls.

Bolsonaro, who has long railed against Lula and his leftist allies, has floated the idea of not accepting any election loss, citing unfounded claims of election fraud and problems with Brazil’s widely respected electronic voting system.

President Bolsonaro ‘jokes at a rally ” We’re going to shoot dead Workers Party supporters” –Bolsonaro avisa em comício: “Vamos fuzilar petistas”

According to a state civil police report and a witness who spoke with Reuters, Guaranho appeared at the party, uninvited, pointing a gun while also shouting insults at those present and words in support of Bolsonaro.

Aluizio Palmar, a journalist at the party, told Reuters that a man arrived and started screaming in support of Bolsonaro, describing him as a “legend.”

According to Palmar, the man left but returned about 15 or 20 minutes later, pointing a gun at Arruda.

Marcelo Arruda ordered him to stop, identifying himself as a member of the security forces.

The nazi opened fire but Marcelo shot back, according to the PT statement, the police report and security camera images in local media.

“Another dear comrade passed away this morning, a victim of intolerance, hatred and political violence,” said the PT’s national president, Gleisi Hoffmann, in a statement.

Simpatizante de #Bolsonaro asesinó a dirigente del partido de #Lula

Un policía asesinó a tiros a Marcelo Arruda, miembro del Partido de los Trabajadores (PT) de Brasil, cuando la víctima celebraba su cumpleaños número 50, mientras el oficial gritaba consignas a favor del actual mandatario y también candidato, Jair Bolsonaro.

La tragedia ocurrió en la sureña ciudad de Foz de Iguazú, región occidental de Paraná, a manos del agente penitenciario federal Jorge José da Rocha Guaranho, quien primero se presentó en el lugar y luego regresó armado y comenzó a disparar al dirigente petista, cuya fiesta desarrollaba con temarios dedicados al PT y a Lula.

Anteriormente, en un acto de campaña, un hombre fue detenido luego de lanzar un explosivo casero contra la multitud que esperaba a Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Debido a la amenaza, el candidato a la Presidencia de Brasil usó por primera vez un chaleco antibalas en un acto abierto.