Rio Branco, Brazil — A tragic shooting at a public school in northwestern Brazil claimed the lives of two female staff members and left another individual injured when a 13-year-old boy opened fire on May 5. The incident unfolded in the Instituto São José, causing chaos in the school’s corridors and drawing a rapid response from law enforcement.
Authorities reported that the shooter was detained shortly after police arrived. The firearm involved in the shooting was registered to the boy’s stepfather, who is now also in custody as investigators work to uncover how the teenager accessed the weapon. Both of the deceased women died at the scene, while an 11-year-old student who suffered a leg wound and another injured staff member were rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Lieutenant Colonel Felipe Russo of the Acre military police described how the boy fired multiple shots in a hallway leading to the principal’s office before surrendering. At this time, it remains unclear whether he was a current or former student of Instituto São José, leading to a formal investigation by Acre police.
Witnesses reported scenes of panic, with many students fleeing the building. Eduardo Rodrigues Cavalcante, a 19-year-old receptionist at a nearby hotel, recalled seeing terrified students trying to escape by climbing onto roofs and attempting to scale a concrete wall. “I heard gunshots and a lot of screaming,” he said, describing the distressing moments as chaos unfolded.
In response to the tragedy, Acre Governor Mailza Assis announced a three-day suspension of classes across the state. Psychological support teams were deployed to assist impacted students, educators, and families. In a statement, Assis extended condolences to the victims’ families and the wider school community, expressing solidarity in these difficult times.
Local media captured powerful images of the aftermath, depicting emergency responders aiding an injured woman, parents comforting each other outside the school gates, and students being led away, still visibly shaken. The school is situated in a predominantly residential area of Rio Branco, surrounded by local businesses and the hotel.
This incident underscores a troubling trend of gun violence in Brazilian schools, raising pressing questions regarding firearm access, the safety of educational environments, and the potential influence of online radicalization on youth. Recent outbursts of violence in Brazilian schools, including shootings that resulted in multiple casualties, have heightened national concern and prompted renewed debates on policy and preventive measures.
Acre investigators now face the challenge of reconstructing how a 13-year-old gained access to a loaded firearm and whether there were any prior warning signs. The boy remains in custody as authorities continue to investigate, and his stepfather will need to provide answers regarding the security of the firearm.
Until now, Rio Branco had not experienced such tragic violence on its school grounds, viewing such events as distant occurrences elsewhere. In the wake of this shooting, the state government has reaffirmed its commitment to support the families of the victims and thoroughly investigate the causes and circumstances surrounding the incident.