Businessman executed on orders of employee: what is known and what remains to be clarified about the crime in Espírito Santo

Businessman Wallace Lovato, 42, was shot dead in the head in the middle of the street in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo — Photo: Reproduction/Social Media

Among the people arrested so far, one of them is Bruno Valadares de Almeida, suspected of being the mastermind of the crime. He was the financial director of the victim's company. The case remains under seal, but the main suspicion is that the crime was motivated by the discovery of financial embezzlement.

Check out below what is already known about the businessman's death and what still needs to be clarified:

1. Who was the victim?
2. How did the crime happen?
3. What is the motivation for the crime?
4. Did the businessman try to react?
5. Had Wallace been receiving threats?
6. Was the car used in the crime found?
7. Who are the suspects of the crime?
8. Who was arrested for the crime?
9. What does the defense of the suspected mastermind say?
10. What does the businessman's family say?

The victim was Wallace Lovato, a 42-year-old businessman. He was the CEO and founder of the technology and innovation company Globalsys, which provides IT services to large corporations. Lovato's company was founded in 2010 and arose from the idea of developing advanced technology for the Espírito Santo and national markets.

He also founded other companies, such as Box 027, a chain of autonomous grocery stores without employees to pick up or pass out products. The model became a success during the pandemic.

The businessman was regularly invited to participate in podcasts, events, and specialized media, where he addressed topics such as digital transformation, market intelligence, and the impact of technology on the business sector.

He was married and the father of two children.

Wallace was shot in the head (watch the video above) on June 9th as he left his company building and headed toward his car parked on the street. Security cameras in the area captured the attack from various angles.

In one of them, around 4:45 p.m., the victim appears with a backpack on his back , standing next to his own car and appears to be talking on the phone. Moments later, a vehicle parked directly behind pulls out of its parking space, stops next to the businessman, and opens fire. The shooting lasts for seconds, and the businessman falls to the ground, while the gray car carrying the suspects flees.

The main line of investigation points to Lovato hiring a consulting firm, which uncovered financial embezzlement by its CFO, Bruno Valadares de Almeida, within the company. The suspicion is that, fearing the consequences of the discovery, the director planned the crime.

In the footage captured at the time of the crime, it's clear that the businessman was caught off guard by the criminals and had no time to react. He died after being shot in the head.

The victim was rescued in his own car, but did not survive.

There is no information on whether the businessman was receiving any type of threat or whether he told a family member or another employee about the suspected embezzlement. Police have not yet released details of the case.

The car used by the shooter to commit the crime was found the day after the murder. It was located near the Third Bridge in Greater Vitória. According to police, the vehicle had a cloned license plate.

So far, five suspects have been identified in connection with the businessman's death: the CFO of Globalsys, the driver of the car used in the crime, the shooter, and two intermediaries.

• Bruno Valadares de Almeida, 39: Suspected of ordering the murder. According to investigations, Lovato discovered Bruno embezzling funds within the company. He was arrested on July 12th at a home in the Jardim Colorado neighborhood of Vila Velha.
• Eferson Ferreira Alves, age not disclosed: He turned himself in at the Vila Velha police station on June 23. He is identified by the police as the intermediary in the crime;
• Arthur Neves de Barros, 35: arrested on June 19 as he was leaving his home in the city of Sumé, Paraíba. He was identified as the shooter.
• Arthur Laudevino Candeas Luppi, 22 years old: arrested on June 17 in Minas Gerais. Named as the driver.
• Unidentified intermediary: Before the case was sealed, police had stated that an arrest warrant had been issued for an intermediary. There is no information about the suspect's identity.

Bruno Valadares de Almeida's defense claims he is innocent, but will respect due process and will not provide further clarification.

"The press office also informs that the authorization of the case files has already been requested, in order to ensure the full right of defense and contribute to the clarification of the truth of the facts. Further information will be released in due course, according to the regular progress of the case and the decisions that are handed down by the Court," stated the legal team.

The other suspects did not release a statement about their defense, but in statements to the police at the time of their arrests, they denied involvement in the crime.

Following the CFO's arrest, Globalsys CEO Thiago Molino said in a press release that Wallace's family is shocked by the suspect's arrest.

"Work has always been one of the main drivers of Wallace's life. It is very sad for us to know that a son, husband and father of two children is gone and that the suspicion falls on commercial and financial interests," the statement said.

Molino also reported that he is taking all necessary steps to terminate any contract with the person under investigation.