TUCUMÃ, PARÁ, BRAZIL – SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 On the night of Saturday, September 13, the Brazilian city of Tucumã was struck by a series of brutal knife attacks. The assailant moved through the city attacking anyone who crossed his path. During his rampage, he killed three people in a short period. He was later identified as 30-year-old Rafael Araújo de Magalhães.
Rafael Araújo de Magalhães
The first attack occurred at a bus terminal, where he approached a seated man from behind and repeatedly stabbed him in the neck. The attack was captured by city surveillance cameras. Shortly after, the perpetrator broke into a family home, attacking the family and killing the couple Antunilde Araújo Barbosa and Zébio Antônio Andrade. During the attack, one of their sons was seriously injured but was stabilized at the hospital by doctors.
After the attacks, the perpetrator attempted to hide in a nearby motel, but police units followed him. During the attempted arrest, there was a confrontation between the suspect and the police, and he was fatally shot by officers.
The investigation is ongoing. The Civil Police and Military Police in the region stated that they are cooperating to reconstruct events and gather forensic evidence. Authorities have also urged citizens to share any recordings or witness accounts and to avoid spreading unreliable information that could hinder the investigation.
Although the investigation is not yet concluded and the official motive has not been confirmed, some Brazilian media speculate that the perpetrator was mentally ill. There is also speculation about personal problems in his life.
