Lieutenant Henrique Otavio Oliveira Velozo, 33, has been removed from active police service and will see his salary slashed to one-third of its original amount. The Military Police’s ruling, published in the Official Gazette of São Paulo State on December 1st, comes despite his recent acquittal by a criminal jury for the passing of renowned Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion Leandro Lo.
The administrative action followed a hearing before the Military Police’s Justification Council, where the lieutenant was found culpable by unanimous decision. According to the official order, Velozo is now prohibited from wearing his uniform and stripped of his regular police duties, marking a stark contrast to the criminal court’s verdict just weeks earlier.
The case has gripped Brazil since that tragic night in August 2022 at the SÃrio Club in São Paulo’s South Zone. Leandro Lo, an eight-time world champion in his sport, was fatally injured in the head during what police investigations described as an escalating confrontation. According to official reports, an initial altercation led to the athlete subduing the off-duty officer. Velozo then allegedly left the scene, returned armed and fired the fatal round. Witnesses reported that after the incident, the officer kicked the unconscious athlete twice before fleeing.
The lieutenant surrendered to the Military Police Internal Affairs department the following day and was subsequently arrested. Initially held at the Romão Gomes military prison in the city’s North Zone, he was later transferred to a civilian facility in October 2025.
In November 2025, a criminal jury at the Barra Funda Criminal Forum acquitted Velozo after a three-day trial. The defense successfully argued that the officer acted in self-defense, and the majority of jurors voted for acquittal. The defense team highlighted what they characterized as contradictions in witness testimonies, which proved persuasive to the jury panel.
Despite the criminal acquittal, the Military Police’s internal disciplinary system operates independently of civilian courts and applies its own standards for conduct. The Justification Council’s unanimous decision suggests the institution found the lieutenant’s actions incompatible with the responsibilities and standards expected of its officers.
In a statement to CNN Brasil, Velozo‘s legal team indicated they would await the final resolution of the administrative proceedings and are exploring options to restore their client to police service. The lawyers emphasized that they are studying potential measures to challenge the Military Police’s decision.
The passing of Leandro Lo deeply affected Brazil’s sports community and beyond. The athlete had achieved international recognition for his technical prowess and competitive success, making his sudden and violent passing particularly devastating to fans and fellow athletes worldwide.
Lo‘s mother, speaking after the jury’s acquittal, expressed her anguish at the verdict.
“I buried him for the second time”
, she told reporters, capturing the family’s pain at what they perceived as a second injustice following their loss.
The investigation, conducted by the 16th Police Precinct in Vila Clementino, led to Velozo being indicted for homicide with futile motive (a charge that typically carries enhanced penalties under Brazilian law when the action is deemed to lack any reasonable justification).
The divergence between the criminal court’s acquittal and the Military Police’s administrative punishment highlights the dual nature of accountability for law enforcement officers in Brazil. While civilian courts determine criminal liability, military institutions maintain separate disciplinary systems designed to uphold professional standards within their ranks.
This administrative removal and salary reduction represent the Military Police’s institutional stance that Velozo‘s conduct, regardless of the criminal verdict, fell below the standards required of its officers.
Lo family previously announced they would be appealing the acquittal.
