Artêmio Gusmão, known as Alaor, was a prominent leader of the Quilombola Mancaraduba Community. The circumstances suggest that the crime is probably linked with land conflicts, as Alaor was being threatened by farmers and other people.

It was the third loss of a family member, owing to the fact that two siblings of the leader were killed  the year before.

There have been many recent land conflicts in this area, which is Federal land, allocated for redistribution. At the time, it was a case that was under review by the Brazilian courts and which was also being challenged by the Bioplam company.

Alaor was found dead on July 4, 2014, showing signs of having been shot and stabbed, close to his home in the municipality of Acará, state of Pará. This happened when he was going home, after watching a match between Brazil and Colombia, at approximately 7 pm.

Based on reports by Brasil de Fato, O Globo, PT and CPT