Journalists Killed in 2011 - Motive Unconfirmed: Luciano Leitão Pedrosa

TV Vitória and Radio Metropolitana FM
April 9, 2011, in Vitória de Santo Antão, Brazil

Television and radio journalist Pedrosa was shot at a restaurant in Vitória de Santo Antão in northeastern Pernambuco state, according to press reports.

An assailant fired multiple shots after entering the restaurant at about 9 p.m., the Recife-based daily Diario de Pernambuco reported. Pedrosa, struck once in the head, was pronounced dead at the scene. The unidentified gunman fled on a motorcycle driven by another individual who had been waiting outside, press reports said.

Pedrosa, 46, had hosted a program on TV Vitória, "Ação e Cidadania" (Action and Citizenship), for seven years, and had reported for the FM radio station Metropolitana. According to press reports, Pedrosa was known for his critical coverage of criminals and municipal authorities. The Pernambuco daily Jornal do Commercio reported that the journalist had received threats, but had not complained to authorities. The paper did not specify the nature of the threats.

Police told reporters that the gunman had declared it was a robbery, but work-related motives had not been ruled out given the critical nature of Pedrosa's reporting. Pedrosa was a harsh critic of the local municipal government, Diario de Pernambuco reported.

Motive Unconfirmed: CPJ is investigating to determine whether the death was work-related.