Braga Social Housing Stabbing: 60-Year-Old Detained After Roommate Attack

The Portugal Judicial Police has placed a 60-year-old man in preventive custody after he allegedly slashed his roommate's throat with a kitchen knife in a state-supported housing unit in Braga. The victim, a 43-year-old man who shared the apartment with several others, remains in serious condition following emergency surgery to repair a severe tracheal injury.

The assault took place on Friday evening, February 21, around dinner time, inside a social support apartment located in the city's center. According to investigators from the Portugal Judicial Police Braga Criminal Investigation Department, the attack was the violent culmination of long-standing disputes between the two men who had been living under the same roof.

Why This Matters

• Safety in shared social housing: The incident exposes ongoing vulnerabilities in state-funded communal living arrangements, where residents with no prior relationship are placed together without robust conflict resolution protocols.

• Preventive detention granted: The suspect was ordered into pretrial detention by the Barcelos Court, reflecting the severity of the charges and perceived flight or recidivism risk.

• Victim's condition: The 43-year-old remains hospitalized in serious condition following emergency surgery to repair airway damage.

• Ongoing concerns: Residents of Braga's social housing neighborhoods have consistently flagged security and safety as key concerns in municipal surveys.

Details of the Incident

The Portugal Judicial Police report indicates the 60-year-old suspect, armed with a kitchen knife, attacked his roommate, causing severe injury to the neck and trachea. One of the other residents in the apartment—several men share the space under a municipal social support scheme—immediately contacted emergency services. Paramedics arrived quickly and rushed the victim to a Braga hospital, where a surgical team performed emergency repair work on the damaged airway.

The suspect remained inside the apartment until Portugal Public Security Police (PSP) officers arrived. Once the PSP assessed the gravity of the situation, they handed the case to the Judicial Police, whose agents conducted an immediate on-site investigation. Forensic teams collected evidence, leading to the suspect's formal arrest within hours.

Long Simmering Tensions

Investigators say chronic arguments between the two men had characterized life in the apartment. Fellow residents told police the pair frequently clashed over household routines, noise, and shared spaces. The Portugal Judicial Police statement notes that these disputes had persisted for a considerable period, though no prior formal complaints had been lodged with authorities.

This incident reflects broader challenges in state-run shared housing across Braga, where multiple organizations operate communal residences:

• BragaHabit administers various schemes, including Shared Residences, Supported Rental, and Direct Rental Support.

• Cáritas Braga runs the B!HOUSE project, offering shared flats for vulnerable individuals with social services support.

• Projeto Homem Braga provides reintegration apartments for people recovering from addiction.

• The municipal Information and Reception Office for Equality (GIAPI) offers emergency housing for domestic violence survivors.

What This Means for Residents

If you live in or are considering social support housing in Braga, it's important to understand your rights and available safety mechanisms:

• Domestic violence framework: Under Portuguese law, aggression between cohabitants falls under the domestic violence statute (a public crime), meaning police can act without a formal complaint. If you feel unsafe, dial the National Social Emergency Line (144) or SNS 24 (808 24 24 24).

• Tenant protections: Municipal regulations mandate minimum standards for social housing, including the right to a safe living environment. Residents can escalate safety concerns to BragaHabit or the local city council.

• Conflict mediation services: Portugal maintains a network of civil mediation centers offering low-cost dispute resolution, though these services are voluntary and require both parties' agreement.

The Judicial Response

The suspect appeared before a judge at the Barcelos Court for his first interrogation. Prosecutors requested and obtained a preventive detention order, the most restrictive pretrial measure under Portuguese law. This decision indicates the court found significant concerns regarding flight risk or likelihood of reoffending.

The charge is attempted homicide, which under the Portuguese Penal Code carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years if aggravating factors—such as premeditation or use of a weapon—are proven. The Portugal Judicial Police continues to interview other residents and analyze forensic evidence.

Outlook

The 43-year-old victim remains hospitalized, recovering from surgery. If his condition stabilizes, he will likely be transferred to a different housing facility upon discharge, given the impossibility of returning to the shared apartment.

For the suspect, formal indictment proceedings will follow, with defense counsel appointed. His continued detention will be reviewed at regular intervals.

Braga's municipal authorities have yet to issue a public statement on the incident, though housing advocates are pressing for a review of security protocols in state-funded communal residences.