Footballer, 18, killed as ‘brother cleaned gun’ with membership plunged into mourning
Brazilian football club Aragoiania FC has been plunged into mourning after he was killed in a tragic accident as his brother cleaned a rifle
A teenage footballer has died after being killed by a bullet believed to have been fired as his younger brother cleaned a gun.
Wanderson Brandao de Sousa, 18, died instantly yesterday at the family home in the town of Aragoiania in the central Brazilian state of Goias.
According to local reports police are focusing on the theory a stray bullet from the rifle his 16-year-old brother was cleaning hit him in the neck in a tragic accident. It’s unclear who owned the weapon.
Tributes were today being paid to Wanderson, who played as a left-back for Aragoiania FC as Sports director Silvan Rodrigues Castro suspended all club activities today.
The club said in a social media post alongside a black ribbon picture of Wanderson in action: “Wanderson Brandon de Sousa. Our condolences to family and friends. May God console all our hearts.”
State resident Jose Guapo said on social media: “The town of Aragoiania is in shock following the death of the under-20 player Wanderson, who died after being hit by a bullet from a rifle.
“The gun was fired accidentally by his younger 16-year-old brother. Wanderson was considered a promising athlete and had started to play for Aragoiania’s senior team.”
Lourdes Morais replied saying: “It’s so sad when a tragedy like this happen. May God comfort this boy’s family and friends.”
A number of other football clubs in the region sent their condolences. One friend said: “You will never be forgotten. You’ll stay in our hearts.”
The tragic news comes eight days after another teenage footballer died in the same state of Goias in a quad bike accident at a friend’s farm.
Goias Esporte Clube, which has been a mainstay in Brazil’s top-flight Serie A league but currently plays in the second-tier Serie B, announced the death of U-15 player Marcelo Hermeto Brasil on social media.
