On 7 February 2003, an attack on the Xucuru people occurred in the municipality of Pesqueira-PE, where two indigenous people were murdered and a Cacique was severely injured.

It is suspected that a group of gunmen linked to the farmers of the region waited for the truck of the community, that was being driven by Cacique Marcos. Ialong the way, a herd of animals was purposely released to stop the truck. As soon as the truck stopped several shots were fired by three men. Two indigenous people died: Joseilson José dos Santos and José Adimilson Barbosa da Silva.

Adimilson was 20 years old.

Before these murders, another sixteen murders had already occurred against the Xucuru people as a result of a conflict over land tenure. Only 30% of the territory was in possession of the indigenous when the crime occurred. The remaining 70% were mainly occupied by farms.