COPS are hunting for a teenage crime boss nicknamed “Little Princess” after a mum-of-two blogger was kidnapped and shot dead inside a club.
Rafaelle Freire Cabal, 22, was ruthlessly gunned down in Brazil on September 20, triggering a massive operation.
Detectives say the prime suspect behind the horror hit is a 17-year-old girl known as “Princesinha” – or “Little Princess”.
Despite her age, the teenager is said to hold a senior role in the feared Bonde dos 40 criminal gang in Brazil.
Witness statements and CCTV footage from inside the Engineers’ Club in Teresina, the capital of Piaui state, suggest the victim was forced to walk to an area inside the building shortly before her death.
Detectives allege the teenager had been waiting outside in a vehicle before getting out and opening fire on Rafaelle.
She was identified as the alleged gunwoman after officers arrested three other suspects and seized the car reportedly used in the killing.
Nathalia Figueiredo, a detective from the Homicide and Personal Protection Department, said: “The investigations indicate that the person who carried out the killing was this teenager, who holds an important position in the criminal faction, which is why we are continuing our investigations.
“Witness statements established that they held her, and immediately afterwards the teenager, who was in the vehicle, got out and fired the shots.”
Cops believe the killing may have been triggered by an argument involving Cabal and another woman at the club.
The fiery confrontation reportedly followed an earlier row between the victim’s partner and a group of alleged gang members sitting at a table.
The initial dispute is believed to have centred on access to an electrical socket before escalating into a physical fight.
Cabal then allegedly argued with another woman, identified as Catarina da Silva, who investigators believe photographed the victim before sending the image to a group chat.
She was then allegedly taken to another room, restrained and shot dead.
Police suspect Silva, who was arrested eight days after the shooting, passed the image on so she could be identified by the alleged gunwoman.
The teenager in question was already under investigation in connection with another murder at the time of the incident, according to detective Laercio Evangelista from the organised department.
He added: “She was already being investigated by our department. We have information that she previously participated in a criminal tribunal alongside other individuals who have already been arrested.”
Two of the other suspects, named as Sergio Eduardo and Manuel Messias, were arrested after a police operation on October 9.
Cops say Eduardo, who allegedly drove the vehicle used in the killing, confessed to his role during questioning.
Messias is suspected of being among those who dragged Cabal to the location where she was shot.
Officers also seized a white Sandero believed to have been used in the murder and reportedly uncovered a haul of in the boot.
Cabal, who had more than 8,000 followers, described herself as a law student, massage therapist and kitesurfing instructor.
The mother-of-two had previously been subject to a probe into alleged illegal gun possession and possible links to organised crime, although the outcomes of those investigations have not been disclosed.
A photograph circulating online appears to show her posing with a homemade submachine gun.
Investigators are reportedly examining whether her alleged relationships with gang members played a role in the horror shooting.
Detectives are also looking into previous disputes between the blogger and the alleged hitwoman, including whether social media posts played a role in the row.
In a heartfelt tribute on social media, the victim’s sister Marilia Gabriela said: “You had a huge heart and a beautiful desire to help those around you. You always did what you could for those you loved.
She added: “And perhaps your biggest flaw was being too innocent, believing in the goodness of people even when they didn’t deserve it. But those who knew you know the light you carried.”
Police are continuing their hunt for the alleged shooter.
