A 15 year old Brazilian footballer with aspirations of becoming a professional player has been shot dead after reportedly being mistaken for another target.
Former Sao Paulo youth player Micael Leandro da Silva was struck by a bullet in Maceio on Saturday. Police believe rival drug trafficking gangs were responsible for the shooting and that Micael, who had no known links to criminal activity, was mistakenly targeted.
He was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries. Several other people were also wounded in the attack.
The shooting occurred just minutes after Micael had taken part in an amateur football tournament.
His father, Marcos Antonio Leandro, told local media: “My family has been torn apart by two criminals who came and shot my son in the back.
“The match had just finished and he was getting changed, so he had no chance to run.
“I’m devastated. His siblings haven’t stopped crying.
“I brought all my children up with humility, showing them how to be good people. It’s not easy to lose a son who had so many dreams.”
