Ricardo Dos Santos shot; In critical condition

At 9am this morning in Brazil, Ricardo Dos Santos was shot three times in the stomach. Witnesses have recalled the shooting occurred after Ricardo confronted a group of people playing loud music and using drugs on the beach access trail at Embaú Guard, directly in front of where he currently resides. The confrontation ended in Ricardo sustaining three gunshots, one of which punctured his kidney and a lung.

He was airlifted to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Santa Caterina, where he immediately underwent emergency surgery. As of writing, he has undergone one successful surgery but will require more. Ricardo is in dire need of donated blood and there is currently a drive going on in Brazil to achieve this (more on that below). He remains in a critical condition.

The Military Police released a statement saying solider, Luiz Paulo Mota Brentano, 25, and his brother, 17, are the only suspects and have been apprehended. The statement said the off-duty military officer was willing to commit to a drug test after giving his testimony at the local police station.

“The heart is beating in him this time because of you. Thank you.” Ricardo’s girlfriend, Karol Esser’s Instagram post.

With incidents like this, civil inquiries take place. But the General Commander of Military Police of Santa Catarina has also called for a military police inquiry, due to the occupation of the accused gunman. According to the Military Police statement it means he can be punished under both military and civil systems, if found guilty.

While details of this altercation are still murky, one thing is certain: Trouble has been brewing for years in this once-sleepy beach town, a kind of trouble that unfortunately now characterises a growing number of regions neighbouring the Guard.

In November of 2011, Ricardo reached out to his social following in a call to action, responding to a dramatic cultural shift within the are. Ricardo prefaced his letter by saying that he writes not as a professional surfer, but rather, as a concerned lifelong resident who has witnessed changes to the town’s once-pristine reputation.

Ricardo wrote, “Today it seems that this piece of “heaven” is losing its charm, it seems that people no longer value the fact that they are in a beautiful and pure place.” The images of the Embaú Guard “are unfortunately no longer the reality… It is with an immense feeling of sadness that I write this, but the Guard is being destroyed.”

Ricardo went on to say that the town’s reputation for a relaxed, hippie vibe has given way to a boom in the presence of violent street thugs who blast music from their cars late at night and fill the streets with trash.

After explaining that both public and political nonintervention and fear have allowed this, Ricardo pleaded for “all (to) unite together to end this charade… and fight for a better Guard.”

While it is still unclear whether or not this incident occurred at the hands of one of the town’s violent newcomers, Ricardo has made it quite clear that he isn’t afraid to stand up to those who’ve helped deteriorate the way of life he once loved in the Guard.

Following today’s attack, many Brazilian pro surfers have used social media to request blood donations to assist with Ricardo’s operations.

The post, shared by both Alejo Muniz and Adriano De Souza on Instagram, is asking for anyone who can get to Hemosc blood bank located in downtown São José to make a donation, regardless of blood type, and thanks everyone for all their support.

Ricardo’s girlfriend, Brazilian model Karol Esser shared a photo of the couple with the message: “I do not even know how to thank all of you who are praying or thinking of something positive in it. I just want to say that is working very well! For the heart is beating in him this time because of you. Thank you.” (Translated.)

Here’s what Ricardo’s close friend, Bruno Zanin, wrote on his Facebook page: “My friend and brother Ricardo dos Santos has just been taken to the hospital after taking shots at the Guard. Please guys, send good vibe, pray, pray, regardless of beliefs! A little verbal discussion and a son of a bitch gang (pulled) a gun and (did) it. The value of life ceased to exist!” (Translated).

Ricardo is always a standout in the Chopes trials. Photo: Billabong