A military police officer walked free from a São Paulo courtroom Friday evening after a jury determined he acted in self-defense when he fatally shot world champion jiu-jitsu athlete Leandro Lo more than three years ago.
Henrique Velozo was acquitted following three days of testimony at the Criminal Forum in Barra Funda. The decision came despite prosecutors seeking a conviction on triple-qualified homicide charges that could have resulted in at least 20 years behind bars.
The tragic incident occurred on August 7, 2022, inside the Clube Sírio in the Indianópolis neighborhood of São Paulo’s south zone. Lo, 33, passed away after being shot in the head during what witnesses described as an altercation at a music event. The athlete was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Velozo surrendered to internal affairs authorities shortly after the incident and had remained detained at the Romão Gomes military prison until Friday’s verdict. The jury panel comprising five women and two men heard from nine witnesses over the course of the trial, which began Wednesday. At least four of the seven jurors voted to acquit, accepting the defense’s argument that the officer acted to protect himself.
“Justice has prevailed and arbitrariness was set aside”
declared Cláudio Dalledone Jr., Velozo’s defense attorney, following the decision announced by Judge Fernanda Jacomini of the 1st Jury Court.
The verdict has sparked outrage from Lo’s family and prosecution team.
“There was no justice”
Lo’s mother Fátima Lo told reporters, vowing to appeal the decision.
Lead prosecutor João Carlos Calsavara characterized the proceedings as complicated with nullities, expressing confidence the verdict would be overturned on appeal.
The case has been marked by delays and legal complications from the start. In September 2022 prosecutors charged Velozo with homicide under three aggravating circumstances: acting with base motives, using methods that could result in common danger and employing treachery or ambush.
The trial originally scheduled for May 2025 was postponed twice first due to claims the defense had been improperly restricted during proceedings then following heated exchanges between prosecutors and defense counsel.
Adding controversy to the case, Velozo was reinstated to the police force last month after a civilian court overturned the São Paulo government’s decision to dismiss him. He now receives monthly payments exceeding 14,000 USD and has been formally reincorporated into the military police though authorities stated they had not yet been formally notified of the judicial order.
A release warrant for Velozo has been issued though the specific date of his departure from the military detention facility remains undetermined.
Leandro Lo secured eight world championship titles during his distinguished career with victories spanning from 2012 in the lightweight category to 2022 in the light-heavyweight category.
