Brazilian surfer Ricardo Dos Santos has died after being shot multiple times outside his home in the country’s south.
Yesterday reports emerged that Dos Santos had been shot three times in the chest and stomach following an incident in his hometown of Guarda do Embaú, Santa Catarina State.
Conflicting reports emerged regarding the incident. One report offered by STAB suggested, Ricardo confronted a group of people playing loud music and using drugs on the beach access trail at Embaú Guard, where he currently resides. The confrontation ended with Ricardo sustaining three gunshot wounds, one of which punctured his kidney and a lung.
Later another report emerged that a car had pulled up outside his home at around 8:50am where he was renovating it with his grandfather and two workers. It is alleged that the car parked over a pipe that was being used in the project, and when Dos Santos asked the interlopers to move, they responded with gunfire.
Brazilian media reported that a 25-year-old man and his 17-year-old brother had been arrested by police over the shooting. The older of the brothers has been identified by media outlets in Brazil as off-duty police officer Luiz Paulo Mota Brentano.
Dos Santos was flown to St Regis Regional Hospital in Santa Catarina, Brazil, in a critical condition and required three surgeries to stop two hemorrhages. He was placed in an induced coma but died in the early hours of the morning.
An outpouring of grief and support has flooded social media.
“Our Ricardo is gone. He lived so much in his 24 years. It is a very hard time for us right now. We believe that there are better barrels where Ricardo is going and that he will be there getting barrels with Andy Irons.” We want to say thank you to everyone for all of the support. Thanks for all of the opportunity for his life and career. Ricardo was so grateful for everything and for everyone,” said Ricardo’s family after his passing.
Kelly Slater took to Instagram. “Beautiful morning but I was horrified to realize everyone was paddling out to Pipe to form a circle in remembrance of my friend, Ricardo Dos Santos, who passed away in hospital after being shot three times yesterday in Brasil. Ricardo was truly one of the great barrel riders of his short time (myself and a few others learned that the hard way against him at Teahupo’o a couple years back when he won the Andy Irons Award in the event. He also won the Wave Of The Winter in 2012-2013 for a crazy barrel at Pipeline and was a regular standout in any barreling or heavy conditions around the world. This was truly a senseless loss of life. It unfortunately brings to light the number of murders yearly in Brazil, officially documented at over 50,000 with many thousands more going unreported. Lack of education, poverty, and drugs don’t make for a good mix and make life challenging in this country, one of the most beautiful and scariest places I’ve been. Condolences to Ricardo’s friends and family around the world. Our small community has lost another way too soon. R.I.P. RDS.”
Also on Instagram Gabriel Medina posted a blank photograph with the message, “Ricardo, you did not deserve it! Not even, ever! Why it happens to good people, I do not understand that! Good people, always helping the next, smile ear-to-ear every day. God comfort your family.” (translated).
Adriano De Souza also commented, “What to say when u lose a great friend? What to say when u lose a so cheerful person, good hearted and good about life as Ricardinho? I have so many good memories of him it is hard to choose one. But I want to keep forever in my mind these qualities and his courage to move on. Once I heard that the ones we love never die, depart before us. May you stay with God, my friend, and from up there you can protect us.”
Ricardo’s sponsor Billabong issued a statement remembering their beloved friend and team rider. “Ricardo was our team rider and dear friend, and an inspiration to all who knew him. Ricardo Dos Santos was also a legend in the surf world, a well as a fearless charger whose enthusiasm for pushing the limits ignited joy and motivation in his partners. More importantly, Ricardo was a loving brother, son, friend, and grandson. When not traveling the globe in search of giant barrels, Ricardo spent time at home helping around the house and surfing with local groms. Ricardo was also a proud Brazilian who supported his local community. His stoke for his homeland could be felt even as he traveled the globe, telling stories of his time at home with close friends. While we mourn this tragedy, we must remember to celebrate and honor Ricardo’s incredible life, and hope it influences the next generation to live a life full of hard work, enthusiasm, and generosity.”
Ricardo will be remembered for his breakout performance in the Billabong Pro Tahiti in 2012 where he beat Kelly Slater in the final and won the Andy Irons Award. The victory and Ricardo’s fearless all-round approach made it clear that Brazilian surfers could be major players in waves of consequence.
He will be sorely missed and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Rest in peace.
