Marcelo Arruda, an official of the Workers’ Party (PT) and municipal guard, was celebrating his birthday in the southern city of Foz de Iguacu, Parana, when suspect Jorge Jose da Rocha Guaranho walked into the private event and shot and killed him, according to the state . civil police and witness. Arunda – who was also visibly armed – returned fire, killing Guarano, the Labor Party said in a statement. “Another dear comrade died this morning, a victim of intolerance, hatred and political violence,” PT national president Gleisi Hoffmann said in a statement. Guaraní first entered the party, waving a gun around as he shouted insults at guests and sang Bolsonaro’s praises. He then left, but returned about 15 to 20 minutes later and pointed a gun directly at Arruda, according to partygoer and witness Aluizio Palmar, a Brazilian journalist. Arruda identified himself as a member of the security forces and ordered Guaranho to resign. Labor Party president Gleisi Hoffmann mourns next to the coffin of Marcelo Arruda.Reuters/Christian Rizz Both men opened fire and each other was hit and killed, according to the PT statement, police and security footage. The double shooting comes months before Brazil’s presidential election in October. The violence is a sign of growing political polarization between the country’s two main parties. Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is the PT’s candidate and currently leads Bolsonaro, who is running for re-election, in the polls. Bolsonaro has hinted that there is a possibility that he will not accept any electoral defeat. He has already cited unsubstantiated allegations of electoral fraud and issues with Brazil’s electronic voting system. After Saturday’s shooting, Bolsonaro said he refused “support from those who use violence against opponents,” in a statement on Twitter. With Post cables
