À la mémoire du surfeur Ricardo dos Santos...

Des rebondissements dans l’enquête sur le meurtre du surfeur brésilien Ricardo dos Santos ! L’homme responsable de la mort de l’athlète a affirmé avoir agit en légitime défense lorsqu'il lui a tiré dessus à trois reprises, lundi matin. L’officier de la police militaire de 25 ans Luis Paulo Mota Brentano n’était pas en service lorsqu’il a abattu le surfeur, mais il affirme avoir voulu protéger son jeune frère de 17 ans. En effet, selon lui, ils auraient été menacés par deux hommes munis de couteaux, dont Ricardo dos Santos.

Il se trouve que ces déclarations contredisent les autres témoignages. Selon Mauro Da Sliva, l’oncle de Ricardo, ils se seraient fait attaquer par deux hommes sous l’emprise de drogues. Ricardo leur aurait simplement demandé de déplacer leur voiture car elle génait les travaux qu’il était en train d’entreprendre sur sa plage privée. Quand il est reparti, il a été abattu froidement de trois balles dans le corps.

Toutefois, un site d’information brésilien rapporte que le tireur avait déjà fait face à deux accusations par le bureau du procureur de Santa Catarina pour abus de pouvoir et bavures en touts genres. Le décès de Ricardo dos Santos est d’autant plus tragique car il s'était battu pour une cause juste en 2011, il avait alerté l’opinion et les pouvoirs public de l’ascension de la violence dans la région de Garde Embau et ses environs.

Cette tragédie a touché l’ensemble de la communauté des surfeurs et beaucoup d’anonymes sur les réseaux sociaux. Ils ont donc partagé leurs émotions sur la toile, un hashtag “Rip Ricardo dos Santos” a même été crée sur twitter pour lui rendre hommage. Voici un best-of des reactions des surfeurs professionnels sur Insatgram !

@kellyslater :

Beautiful morning but I was horrified to realize everyone was paddling out to Pipe to form a circle in remembrance of my friend, #RicardoDosSantos, who passed away in hospital after being shot three times yesterday in #Brasil. @ricardosantos90 was truly one of the great barrel riders of his short time (myself and a few others learned that the hard way against him at Teahupo'o a couple years back when he won the #AndyIronsAward in the event). He also won the #WaveOfTheWinter in 2012-2013 for a crazy barrel at #Pipeline and was a regular standout in any barreling or heavy conditions around the world. This was truly a senseless loss of life. It unfortunately brings to light the number of murders yearly in Brasil, officially documented at over 50,000 with many thousands more going unreported. Lack of education, poverty, and drugs don't make for a good mix and make life challenging in this country, one of the most beautiful and scariest places I've been. Condolences to Ricardo's friends and family around the world. Our small community has lost another way too soon. #RIPRDS#WTF #HardToBelieve

@jackfreestone :

This is the worst news to wake up too. The last time I saw him he wanted to catch up for a beer and show me his hometown and we both got to lazy and forgot to reach out. If I could go back in time and have that beer with you I would and many more. Love you brother I know your up there in heaven saving me that beer and smiling down on us all. RIP @ricardosantos90 ♥️

@norah-erickson :

RIP Ricardo you were always extremely friendly and giving. My favorite memory was about 2 years ago on the Gold Coast of Australia. I was a little to deep on this wave out at Kirra, so I gave you the nod to go. Ended up being one of the better waves of the day. About 3 weeks later we were surfing the box in WA, the next set that came you were in position, but let me go. As I paddled back out after getting one of my best waves, I said thank you for that one!! Your response was you are welcome, thank you for that wave at Kirra a couple weeks ago! That's just the kind of guy he was. I will miss seeing him out in the heavy conditions all over the world. RIP my thoughts at prayers are with you and your family.

@bourezmichel :

RIP Ricardo!!! The bullets took your body but not your soul!! Enjoy the ride in heaven my friend… You will be missed !! Tahiti love you !!

@gabrielmedina :

Ricardinho, voce nao merecia isso! Nao mesmo, nunca! Pq isso acontece com gente do bem? Nao entendo isso! Mlk gente boa, sempre ajudando o proximo, sorriso de orelha a orelha todos os dias, exemplo de pessoa. Familia Dos Santos que Deus conforte sua familia.

@floresjeremy :

Waking up to this sad news, this world is really going wrong. @ricardosantos90 was killed by a COP …. RIP to one of the best tube rider in the world & a friend !
Notre monde part vraiment en vrille, un mec sympa comme @ricardosantos90 , c'est tellement injuste, tué par un flic en plus !!! Un des meilleurs tube rider au monde et surtout un frère, Repose en paix.

@mfanno :

So sad to hear the news of Ricardo Dos Santos passing. Prayers and thoughts to his family. I didn't know him really well but he was always kind enough to say hi when ever we saw each other. Loved big tubes and rode them extremely well. May he Rest In Peace.