Young man stabbed to death on Boa Vista 15 June 2012
21-year-old Roberto Ribeiro was brutally murdered in the town of Rabil, on the island of Boa Vista, on Wednesday night, June 13. The victim was riding in a bus when another young man allegedly forced his way into the vehicle, proceeding to stab him more than 20 times. Betinho, as the victim was known, was a native of the island of Sal and played for soccer team Sporting Clube da Boa Vista.
The incident that led to the murder allegedly began at a Saint Anthony’s Day celebration in the village of Povoação Velha, where, according to information gathered from local police, two rival groups from the Boa Esperança (or Barraca) district of Sal Rei and from Rabil confronted one another. “When police intervened, the members of the two groups dispersed,” according to local National Police squadron chief Policarpo Fonseca.
The suspected aggressor allegedly threw rocks at the bus in which Betinho was traveling, forcing the driver to stop the vehicle. “The aggressor was already in Rabil, and when he saw the bus, he threw a rock at it, When the bus stopped, he entered the vehicle and stabbed the victim various times,” reports Fonseca, who affirms, however, that the driver’s intention in stopping was merely to let a number of passengers off.
Roberto Ribeira was stabbed 22 times and succumbed to his injuries after being admitted to the Health Center in the city of Sal Rei.
The aggressor, a native of Santa Cruz, on the island of Santiago, has been detained and is being held at the local National Police squadron. Other members of the two groups, as well as the bus driver, may be charged in the case.
Betinho debuted last soccer season on Boa Vista, where he played for the Sporting Clube da Boa Vista.
“He was a promising athlete for Sporting. He lived at the club headquarters because he was one the athletes we wanted to make sure we’d be keeping for the next season. He was a great promise for soccer on Boa Vista. The entire team is mourning his loss,” lamented team president Abel Lopes.
Roberto Ribeiro was a native of the island of Sal, but moved to Boa Vista as a child to live with his stepfather. He was buried yesterday afternoon.
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