Brazilian Instagram influencer Renata Cristina was standing outside her home with partner João Bosco Cabral when a white pick-up truck drove past and a gunman opened fire
An influencer’s boyfriend was gunned down while protecting her from a barrage of bullets during a drive-by shooting. The ambush has been connected to a feud with another influencer.
Renata Cristina, who boasts nearly 50,000 Instagram followers, was standing outside her home with partner João Bosco Cabral when the alleged attack occurred. A white Amarok pickup truck was driving past the property when a gunman suddenly unleashed a volley of shots.
João leapt in front of the influencer to shield her, reportedly receiving six bullets to his chest and abdomen. The 22-year-old died at the scene. Renata sustained a gunshot wound to the clavicle and remains in hospital recovering. The alleged drive-by shooting happened in Londrina in southern Brazil at around 11.45pm on Sunday (31 May).
Renata told reporters her boyfriend reacted instinctively to protect her as the gunfire erupted.
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 perished “for something so banal, a silly argument”.
The pair had been together for approximately four months and had moved in together roughly a month prior.
They marked their relationship milestone the day before the tragedy struck.
João Bosco worked as a distributor and had no involvement in crime, Renata emphasised, responding to social media speculation after a photo of him holding a gun emerged.
Police are probing the murder as a potential targeted killing, linked to an ongoing feud between Renata and another local influencer.
The pair had previous disagreements involving alleged threats, defamation and a legal complaint lodged by Renata, according to NeedToKnow.
Just hours before the fatal shooting, both women and their partners were at the same off-licence, although no direct confrontation took place.
Detectives suspect that the culprits, including the other influencer’s boyfriend, sought out Renata at various commercial locations before heading to the couple’s home in the Vila Romana neighbourhood.
Reports suggest a brief row broke out before shots were fired.
The pickup truck used in the incident was later discovered abandoned nearby and has been seized for forensic analysis.
The other influencer’s aunt has publicly accused Renata of instigating the conflict and threatening her niece, alleging she filmed and harassed her.
Renata denies making any threats.
Both influencers have provided statements to the police, who are still on the hunt for the shooter.