Suspect Sought in Deadly Esmeraldas Shooting

Authorities in Esmeraldas are actively searching for a suspect following a violent shooting that occurred on the evening of Tuesday, January 7. The incident took place in the Grande BH region, resulting in one fatality and three injuries. The victims were transported to the UPA Vargem das Flores in Contagem for treatment of gunshot wounds.

Based on witness reports cited in the police report, investigators identified Jonas Quaresma Gil, 26, as the alleged shooter. Following the attack, police raided a residence in the Novo Retiro neighborhood. During the search, officers located a ballistic vest with its serial number removed, alongside a significant cache of drugs and ammunition hidden in a bedroom belonging to the suspect.

The shooting occurred when a vehicle carrying the victims was targeted by gunfire in Esmeraldas. Emergency services responded to the scene, transporting the wounded to the UPA Vargem das Flores in Contagem on Tuesday afternoon. Medical reports confirmed that the victims were suffering from injuries caused by projectiles.

Law enforcement officials launched an investigation immediately after the incident. According to the official boletim de ocorrência (police report), witnesses identified Jonas Quaresma Gil as the individual responsible for the gunshots. This testimony provided the basis for the subsequent police operation aimed at locating the suspect.

Acting on the information provided by witnesses, military police officers proceeded to the suspect's known address. The search took place at the home of the suspect's mother, located in the Novo Retiro district. Upon entering the premises, officers conducted a thorough search of the suspect's bedroom.

The search yielded a significant amount of contraband. Authorities discovered a ballistic vest that had its serial number suppressed. Additionally, police found a large quantity of narcotics and ammunition concealed within the room. The specific items seized included:

• 105 pins of cocaine
• 10 portions of marijuana
• 32 wraps of hashish
• 41 .40 caliber rounds
• 1 .380 caliber round

The total haul represented a substantial recovery of illegal materials linked to the suspect.

During the police operation at the residence, the suspect's mother managed to establish phone contact with Jonas Quaresma Gil. The conversation was placed on speakerphone, allowing the officers present to hear the exchange.

When confronted about the evidence found in his room, Gil made a direct admission regarding the narcotics. He stated, "the drugs were of his property," confirming ownership of the seized substances. However, he refused to cooperate further regarding his current location. Gil explicitly stated that he would not return to the family home.

Further background checks by the Polícia Civil revealed that Gil is not a first-time offender. Records show that he was previously arrested in 2025 for the illegal possession of a firearm. This prior history has intensified the manhunt for the suspect, who remains unlocated as of the latest reports. All material evidence recovered from the scene has been formally aprehended.

The investigation into the shooting in Esmeraldas remains active as authorities search for Jonas Quaresma Gil. The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding gun violence and drug trafficking in the Grande BH area. While the victims received medical attention at the UPA Vargem das Flores, the focus of law enforcement has shifted to apprehending the suspect, who has a documented history of firearm offenses. The evidence collected at the Novo Retiro residence, including the ballistic vest and narcotics, serves as a critical component of the ongoing case.