Woman Killed by Stray Bullet in Rio When Picking up Grandchildren at School

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A 50-year-old woman died on Thursday, December 5th, during an operation by the 7th Military Police Battalion in São Gonçalo, in the metropolitan area of Rio, after being hit by a stray bullet.

The victim was going to pick up her two grandchildren from school when she was shot and died instantly.

The PM’s action was intended to remove barricades placed by drug traffickers at the entrance to the favela to prevent the entrance of police cars. There was a confrontation between the military police and criminals when the woman was passing by.

A suspected drug trafficker in the region was arrested and another shot. According to the police, two rifles and an automatic pistol were seized with them. The injured criminal was referred to the Alberto Torres State Hospital in São Gonçalo, but did not survive the injury.

After the resident’s death, protesters blocked and set fire to pieces of sticks and tires on Amaral Peixoto Highway (RJ-104), which was partially closed for more than an hour due to the protest.