"Cryptocurrency Expert Killed in Airport Shooting Linked to Gang Retaliation"

"The murder of cryptocurrency expert Antônio Vinicius Gritzbach at Guarulhos Airport is believed to be a result of his cooperation with authorities against the criminal organization Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), which he previously belonged to. The incident raised significant concerns about gang violence and the safety of informers in Brazil."

In a shocking incident at Guarulhos Airport in Sao Paolo, Brazil, cryptocurrency expert Antônio Vinicius Gritzbach was fatally shot. The businessman had recently been cooperating with the authorities in a plea deal, providing information about the notorious Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), a powerful criminal organization across Brazil.

The shooting, captured on security cameras, involved two armed assailants who opened fire just outside the airport terminal. Gritzbach, who had ties to the PCC, reportedly received death threats from the gang after agreeing to testify against them. Despite being a former member of the group, he had been working with prosecutors to expose how he assisted the PCC in laundering millions of dollars.

Witnesses and local media reports indicate that Gritzbach attempted to evade the gunmen but was shot multiple times and died on the scene. Alongside him, three others sustained injuries during the violent act. Authorities had already increased police presence at the airport following rising concerns of gang-related violence.

Gritzbach had promised to assist in identifying other gang members and had volunteered critical documents as part of his deal, in return for a potential judicial pardon and reduction of his punishment for previous money laundering charges. The PCC, established in the early 1990s, is notorious for defining Brazil’s organized crime landscape and is not restricted to Brazil alone, with significant operatives detected internationally, including in Europe.

This incident underscores the unwavering grip of organized crime in Brazil and the grave risk faced by individuals who choose to cooperate with law enforcement.