Murder at the IJF becomes a topic of discussion among pre-candidates in Fortaleza

O murder recorded this Tuesday morning (23) at Hospital Instituto Doutor José Frota (IJF)in Fortaleza, became topic of discussion among pre-candidates for Mayor of Fortaleza this year 2024. The incident generated debate between the administrations of the Capital, under Mayor José Sarto (PDT), and the State, with Governor Elmano de Freitas (PT). While Sarto blames a “paralysis of the State Government in the fight against factions”the president of the Assembly, Evandro Leitão (PT) – candidate supported by Elmano -, stated that It’s the City Hall’s fault, as the hospital is managed by the Municipality. Captain Wagner (União Brasil) and André Fernandes (PL), also pre-candidates, blamed the two Executive entities. Senator Eduardo Girão (Novo), also a pre-candidate, has not yet commented on the matter.

Read more | Suspect of killing and decapitating an IJF employee is arrested in Aquiraz district, in the RMF

Sarto, on his social networks, said that it is “unacceptable” for violence in Fortaleza to “continue as it is”. “Today once again we live in moments of horror. Two brutal murders”, he wrote in a note, also highlighting the case in which a student was murdered at a municipal school in the Jangurussu neighborhood.

“The State Government’s paralysis in combating factions does not appear to be just incompetence, but also complicity”, added the mayor.

Also according to him, the Secretariats of Citizen Security, Education, Health and Human Rights were contacted, aiming to provide “full support to the families of the victims and our workers”. “I will not allow access to our public services to be hampered by insecurity”, added the pedestrian.

In response to the Municipality manager, Evandro, during a session at the Legislative Assembly of the State of Ceará (Alece), said that “obviously”, there was a failure in the security of the equipment. According to him, however, the City Hall is to blame, since the IJF is managed by the Municipal Executive. “If you want to outsource a responsibility, which was a failure of the security of the State of Ceará, it’s a joke. It’s wanting to play with people’s intelligence, mocking the population. It’s good Mayor Sarto also assumes his responsibilities”.

“If something happens here within the Assembly, it is my responsibility, that of the President of the Assembly”, highlighted the PT member.

Former federal deputy Captain Wagner, on his networks, opened live to talk about the subject. The candidate for the Municipal Palace, unlike what Sarto and Evandro did, said that Both Elmano and Sarto must be held responsible for what happened. “Will the governor come forward to apologize to the family? Will the mayor come forward to apologize to the family?” Still according to Wagner, the discourse that the City Hall has no responsibility for Public Safety must end.

The president of the State Directory of União Brasil in Ceará said that there is a lack of “disgraceful politicians in the state of Ceará, who think about future generations”. “While the mayor puts the blame on the governor, and the governor on the mayor, insecurity took over Fortaleza”, he added.

Representative André Fernandes, pre-candidate who will be supported by former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), also followed Wagner’s speech that the two heads of the Executive of Fortaleza and Ceará must be held responsible. “You know what’s worse: there’s already been a report about the governor blaming the mayor and a report about the mayor blaming the governor, but neither of them are willing to come here and solve this problem,” he said. “Shame on your face”he said, at another time, in a video posted on his social networks.

Regarding the City Hall’s role in Public Security, the parliamentarian stated that the Fortaleza Municipal Guard (GMF) must have a larger number of personnel and must be “well trained”, “well armed” and “protecting the people”.

According to him, the greatest asset of a city is its citizens and in cases like this, It is “better that the criminal is killed instead of murdering the worker”. “I leave here my anger and solidarity with the family, especially the family of this worker”, concluded Fernandes.

THE CASE

The man murdered at the IJF was shot dead and had his head decapitated after his death. In addition to the victim, another person was hit by gunshots. According to reports, the criminal fired several firearms at the victim, who died at the scene. Other employees were injured and taken to the IJF’s own medical wards.

In a note sent to EC OPINIONthe Secretariat of Public Security and Social Defense (SSPDS) reported that the criminal had been identified and that images of security cameras that caught the criminal action were assisting police work. “According to initial information, the male victim, who was a hospital employee, was found with gunshot wounds and signs of violence. Another injured person was rescued,” she said.

Later in the day, in the afternoon, Governor Elmano announced that a suspect was captured by state police agents in a district in the municipality of Aquiraz.