Brazilian surfer Ricardo dos Santos shot dead

Off-duty police officer shoots popular surfer three times outside his Florianopolis home

Brazilian surfer Ricardo Dos Santos  died  due to bullet wounds to the stomach and chest. Photograph: Steve Robertson/EPA
Brazilian surfer Ricardo Dos Santos died due to bullet wounds to the stomach and chest. Photograph: Steve Robertson/EPA

A Brazilian professional surfer has died after being shot outside his beach home by an off-duty police officer.

Ricardo dos Santos, known as a daring tuberider who had won international surfing awards, died in a hospital in southern Brazil, investigator Marcelo Arruda said.

Santos (24) was shot three times in the abdomen on Monday in front of his home on the Guarda do Embau beach, near Florianopolis.

Witnesses said Mr Santos was shot afterhe got  into an argument with an off-duty police officer.  Photograph: Steve Robertson/EPA
Witnesses said Mr Santos was shot afterhe got into an argument with an off-duty police officer. Photograph: Steve Robertson/EPA

The officer who shot the unarmed Mr Santos said he did so in self-defence, Mr Arruda said.

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But other witnesses said officer Luis Brentano shot Mr Santos after they got into an argument.

The suspect is in jail but he has not been charged.

Under Brazilian law, prosecutors only level charges once the police investigation is complete.

PA