Leandro Lo was shot dead during a concert in Sao Paulo on early Sunday morning, his lawyer confirmed to Brazilian news outlet G1. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend was 33 years old. 

Lo reportedly got into a heated argument with the suspect, identified as police officer Henrique Otávio Oliveira Velozo, after the latter allegedly grabbed a bottle from the 33-year-old’s table at the venue. Following a brief scuffle, the suspect allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Lo in the head. Lo was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead few hours later. 

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Search was underway for Velozo, who fled the scene following the shooting. He remained on the run as of Sunday afternoon and police were seeking public help to trace him. 

Born on May 11, 1989, in Sao Paolu, Brazil, Lo received his black belt at the Cicero Costha Academy in Sao Paulo. In 2015, he founded the New School “NS” Brotherhood squad. He has won several competitions, including Pan American Games, the World Cup, and the Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Championships.

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Following his death, former MMA fighters Josh Thomson and Kenny Florian paid tribute to him on social media. 

“The word legend is thrown around way to much in sports but it can’t be thrown around enough when it comes to your name in Jiu Jitsu || Leandro Lo, My heart and prayers to your family my brother. Rest easy my friend,” Thomson wrote. 

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Florian wrote, “A very sad day for the BJJ community. Leandro was a legend.”

“Wow. Unbelievably tragic news about Leandro Lo. RIP to a jiu jitsu legend. Shocking,” MMA referee Marc Goddard tweeted.