This article discusses the life story of a young resident of a suburb of Sao Paulo executed in the context of “Crimes of May” which occurred in 2006. We used the conceptual framework of vulnerability in order to understand the different elements involved in his victimization. This concept provides a broad and dynamic perspective that considers the susceptibility of potentially threatening events as dependent not only on individual aspects, but also on relationa processes and contextual elements, avoiding stigmatizing effects. The analysis emphasizes the uncertainty and the situation of social limiarity of the young population with the “world of crime”; cases of police violence directed at particular groups of people, and the situation of impunity. These elements occupy a central role in youth vulnerability to lethal violence, making it necessary to consider all the above mentioned elements for the development of preventive actions, inclusive in the health sector.
Vulnerability; Youth; Summary Execution; Police Violence