A 16-year-old Brazilian boy, upset over having his cell phone taken away, shot and killed his parents and sister in their home, police reported on Wednesday.
The tragic incident occurred on Friday in Sao Paulo but only came to light on Monday when the boy called the police and confessed, according to a statement from the local security ministry. Investigation chief Roberto Afonso revealed that the teen, who is adopted, grew “very frustrated” after his parents confiscated his phone following an argument.
Using the service gun of his father, a municipal policeman, the boy shot him in the back. He then went upstairs and shot his 16-year-old sister in the face. Hours later, when his mother arrived home, he killed her with the same weapon. The father was 57 and the mother 50, AFP reported.
“We need to understand if this was frustration related to some sort of psychological disturbance,” Afonso told Brazilian network TV Record. Authorities are also investigating whether someone else was involved, including if the boy spoke to anyone on the phone.
After committing the murders, the boy stayed in the house with the three bodies from Friday until his arrest early Monday. During this period, he visited a gym and a bakery. Still “angry” on Saturday, he stabbed his mother’s body with a knife, Afonso added.
The teen, who is currently held at a juvenile detention center, exhibited a “cold” demeanor when discussing the crimes, Afonso said. Under Brazil’s special legislation for minor defendants, he cannot be tried as an adult.
