On Sunday, eight-time Leandro Lo, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion, was fatally shot at a concert in Sao Paolo, Brazil. The 33-year-old had gone to see a prominent Sao Paolo music group play at club Sirio in Southern Sao Paolo early that morning. During the performance, Lo got into a fight with an off-duty police officer, Henrique Otávio Oliveira Velozo, who was also there. According to Sao Paolo police, following a short scuffle between Leandro Lo and Velozo, the cop reportedly fired down the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu icon. Authorities have not officially verified the cause of the altercation, but witnesses at the scene said that Lo was attempting to appease the officer.
UFC commentator and former lightweight Kenny Florian grieved Lo’s death on Twitter in reaction to the incident. Henrique Velozo was apprehended shortly after the event. The situation is still being investigated.
The IBJJF and Jiu Jitsu community are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Leandro Lo. Lo was one of the greatest athletes our sport has ever produced. An example of a true black belt, martial artist and champion on and off the mats. Rest in peace legend. 🙏🏼🕊 pic.twitter.com/lHK3n8pF4K
— IBJJF (@ibjjf) August 7, 2022
Everything there is to know about Leandro Lo
According to Flograppling, Leandro Lo of Sao Paolo was one of just three Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) athletes to have won eight IBJJF world championships. He burst into the international BJJ scene when he won his first world championship in the lightweight class in 2012. Lo’s most recent victory came on May 22 as a light heavyweight. Lo was regarded as a diligent practitioner, participating in numerous weight classes and winning the Copa Podio Grand Prix’s light, middle, and heavyweight competitions.
In addition to his status as a contender, Leandro Lo was regarded as a courteous and transparent teacher within the BJJ world. He founded the New School Brotherhood squad in 2015, according to BJJ Heroes. He taught other competitors different defensive methods that enabled them to win multiple grappling championships throughout the globe.
Sirio’s club shooting
According to the Brazilian newspaper Diario Momento, the dispute between Leandro Lo and Henrique Velozo allegedly started around 2 a.m. on Sunday. According to witnesses, Velozo reportedly grabbed a bottle as the disagreement deteriorated into violence. This caused Lo to bind him with a BJJ armlock. The audience at the nightclub apparently interfered at this moment. However, after he got free of Lo’s grasp. Velozo is accused of drawing his revolver and shooting the BJJ competitor in the head.
Lo was taken to the hospital after the gunshot and proclaimed dead. Velozo is believed to have fled the scene before being caught by officials in Sao Paolo. During the inquiry, he is now suspended from active duty.
