Genildo Ferreira de França was born on September 5, 1969, in Santo Antônio dos Barreiros (now Santo Antônio do Potengi), Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. He served in the 7th Battalion of Combat Engineers in Natal until January 1990, where he developed a proficiency with firearms and was considered an excellent marksman.

After his military service, Genildo owned a grocery store and later operated a bar named "Iuri's Bar," in memory of his son Iuri, who was tragically killed in a taxi accident in 1995. The loss of his son deeply affected him, leading to behavioral changes and emotional instability.

In 1995, Genildo's wife, Mônica, left him temporarily and allegedly spread rumors about his sexual orientation, claiming he was homosexual. These rumors, particularly propagated by his father-in-law and others in the community, deeply humiliated him. The stigma and gossip surrounding his perceived sexuality, coupled with the loss of his son and financial difficulties, contributed to his deteriorating mental state.

Between May 21 and 22, 1997, Genildo embarked on a 22-hour killing spree in and around Santo Antônio do Potengi. Armed with a semi-automatic pistol and a .38-caliber revolver equipped with a silencer, he targeted individuals he believed had wronged him, particularly those who had spread rumors about his sexuality or owed him money.

His victims included his ex-wife Mônica, her parents, his current wife, neighbors, and acquaintances. Notably, he killed Edilson Carlos do Nascimento, the man allegedly involved in the rumors about his sexuality, reportedly shouting, "Quero ver agora você dizer por aí que me comeu."

During the spree, Genildo was accompanied by a 16-year-old girl, Valdenice Ribeiro da Silva, who later claimed he had threatened her life to ensure her compliance. He also took his 5-year-old daughter, Gislaine, with him during part of the rampage.

The massacre concluded when police cornered Genildo in a banana plantation near a ceramic tile factory, approximately 2 km from his home. After releasing Valdenice and his daughter, he shot himself in the chest. Some reports suggest he also exchanged gunfire with the police before succumbing to his self-inflicted wound.