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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Andrea Blanco and Maroosha Muzaffar

Danelo Cavalcante update: Escaped convict’s mother says he ‘had no choice’ in girlfriend’s murder

Pennsylvania State Police

Danelo Cavalcante escape video

Terrified Pennsylvania residents are stocking up on guns after learning that escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante is now armed with a rifle while on the run.

On Tuesday, officials confirmed that Cavalcante broke into a garage at a home in East Nantmeal Township on Monday and stole a .22 caliber rifle.

The owner spotted the fugitive and fired seven shots at him as he fled.

With the manhunt now entering its 14th day and police coming under fire for failing to capture him, residents appear to be taking matters into their own hands with gun shop owners in Chester County telling ABC6 that there has been an uptick in gun sales in the local area.

Cavalcante escaped Chester County Prison on 31 August – days after he was sentenced to life for stabbing his ex-girlfriend Deborah Brandao, 33, to death. He is also wanted for a 2017 murder in Brazil.

In an interview with The New York Times on Tuesday, Cavalcante’s mother Iracema Cavalcante defended her son’s actions, saying that he killed Brandao after she reportedly threatened to tell American authorities that he was being sought by Brazilian police.

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