Attack on school in Sapopemba: student killed was happy with her first job, says grandfather

The 17-year-old student who died this Monday morning (23) in the shooting attack at Escola Estadual Sapopemba, in the east of São Paulo, was happy because she had received her first salary and enjoyed playing volleyball in her free time.

It’s the grandfather who counts. “She was very happy with the salary. She was studious, got good grades.”

The youngest of a pair of brothers, she had just received her first salary, as an office assistant, after a month of work. “Her dream was to be a lawyer,” says neighbor Reinaldo Lopes.

The state governor, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), stated that Giovanna had no relationship with the shooter. “She was the first person who passed in front of him,” said the president at a press conference in Sapopemba. Giovanna was taken to Sapopemba Hospital, but could not survive the head injury.

The father works in a printing industry, also in the east zone. The mother is a teacher and works at a daycare center near the Aricanduva shopping mall. Neighbors said she “couldn’t stand up because she was so sad.” The parents did not want to be interviewed.

“People can’t believe what happened. We see these crimes on TV and never imagine that it will happen on our corner”, says Telma da Silva, owner of a restaurant close to the school.

The young woman was active on social media and liked to show her passion for volleyball. There are also videos of the teenager with her friends inside Escola Sapopemba during class breaks. The last post was made on Sunday afternoon (22). The student published an image of a walk in Parque Água Branca, in the west zone.

This Monday’s attack is the second case this year in São Paulo. On March 27, teacher Elisabete Tenreiro, aged 71, died and four people were injured after being attacked with a knife by an eighth-grade student at Escola Estadual Thomazia Montoro, in the west zone. The 13-year-old attacker was disarmed and taken to a Fundação Casa unit.