Brazil: at least 25 dead in shootout between police and drug gang in Rio de Janeiro

As many as 25 people, including a cop who was shot in the head, have been pronounced dead after police and a gang investigated for drug trafficking were implicated in a daytime shooting in a Rio de Janeiro favela Thursday.

Civilian police in Rio de Janeiro were in the middle of an operation against members of the Comando Vermelho, a drug trafficking network, when they were the victim of a fire in the slum of Jacarezinho.

Police said 24 gang suspects were killed in the shooting.

Police chief Rodrigo Oliveira told reporters that two of the gunmen were shot after attacking cops inspecting the site where other gang members were killed.

The deceased officer has been identified as André Frias, 45, according to Brazilian newspaper Correio Braziliense. Frias was assigned to the Drug Enforcement Bureau.

Authorities said two police officers were injured in the shooting.

Security forces recovered six rifles, a machine gun, anti-aircraft ammunition, 14 grenades and 15 rifles.

At least 14 suspected members of Comando Vermelho have been apprehended.

“The (operation) was based on concrete intelligence and investigative information. At the time, the criminals reacted strongly. Not just to escape, but to kill,” Rio de Janeiro civilian police said. Janeiro in a statement posted on his Facebook page.

“Unfortunately, the war scenario imposed by these gangs proves the importance of operations so that criminal organizations do not grow stronger.”

Rio de Janeiro policeman André Frias was shot dead on Thursday during an operation against a drug trafficking network.

A man is pushed into a wheelchair after being shot in the right arm during a shootout between police and a gang of drug traffickers in the Jacarezinho slum in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday.  At least 25 people have been reported dead, including a 45-year-old police officer

A man is pushed into a wheelchair after being shot in the right arm during a shootout between police and a gang of drug traffickers in the Jacarezinho slum in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday. At least 25 people have been reported dead, including a 45-year-old police officer

Police disembark from an armored vehicle during an operation against suspected drug traffickers in Jacarezinho, a favela in Rio de Janeiro, on Thursday

Police exit an armored vehicle during an operation against suspected drug traffickers in Jacarezinho, a favela in Rio de Janeiro, on Thursday

Rafael M. Silva, 33, and Humberto Gomes V. Duarte, 20, were inside a Line 2 car when they were shot dead while the train was stopped at a neighborhood metro station.

Silva was taken to Salgado Filho Hospital, but abandoned the facility for unknown reasons. Gomes V. Duarte was rushed to hospital da Marinha and was registered in stable condition.

A resident caught in the crossfire was shot in the foot while sitting inside his house.

Video footage recorded by a resident showed the times when cops chased down suspects as shots were exchanged.

A helicopter with the Brazilian online information portal G1 showed armed suspects fleeing from police, jumping over the roofs of several buildings in the slum.

Suspected gang members seek refuge on a building roof as they flee from police after shooting kills 25, including police officer

Suspected gang members seek refuge on building roof as they flee from police after shooting kills 25, including police officer

A train passenger sits in a chair awaiting treatment after being injured in a shootout in the Jacarezinho slum, north of Rio de Janeiro.

A train passenger sits in a chair awaiting treatment after being injured in a shootout in the Jacarezinho slum, north of Rio de Janeiro.

This is the highest number of casualties reported in a police investigation since the online portal Fogo Cruzado began tracking armed conflict in July 2016.

Police were investigating 21 gang members for allegedly recruiting children to commit crimes on their behalf. The miners were charged with stealing passengers from wagons and train platforms, as well as selling drugs on the streets.

Due to the pandemic, the Supreme Court issued an order in June 2020 suspending the execution of police raids in the favelas. It was only in extreme circumstances that large-scale operations were allowed.

G1 reported that civilian police identified 21 gang members through court-approved wiretaps.

The gang members were apparently armed with military equipment and protected their territory with an arsenal of grenades, rifles and rifles.

In the photo, the house in Rio de Janeiro where two suspected members of the drug trafficking ring broke in before being killed in a shootout with cops

In the photo, the house in Rio de Janeiro where two suspected members of the drug trafficking ring broke in before being killed in a shootout with cops

Pictured are the weapons seized by police in Rio de Janeiro during Thursday's raid.  At least 14 suspected members of the Comando Vermelho drug trafficking network apprehended

Pictured are the weapons seized by police in Rio de Janeiro during Thursday’s raid. At least 14 suspected members of the Comando Vermelho drug trafficking network apprehended

Still image from video recorded by a resident of the Jacarezinho slum, north of Rio de Janeiro, shows police chasing members of a drug trafficking ring as shots were fired.  Police were investigating gang for recruiting children to commit crimes on their behalf

Still image from video recorded by a resident of the Jacarezinho slum, north of Rio de Janeiro, shows police chasing members of a drug trafficking ring as shots were fired. Police were investigating gang for recruiting children to commit crimes on their behalf

Ignacio and Michelle were unable to leave their home and were late for the marriage registration office at the town hall of the town of Méier in Rio de Janeiro due to a shooting in the Jacarezinho slum which killed 25 people on Thursday.

Ignacio and Michelle were unable to leave their home and were late for the marriage registration office at the town hall of the town of Méier in Rio de Janeiro due to a shooting in the Jacarezinho slum which killed 25 people on Thursday.

Residents of the northern slum of Rio de Janeiro told the outlet that the number of victims far exceeded the 25 initially announced by the authorities, who allegedly confiscated the cell phones of people who were texting to alert the drug traffickers in the neighborhood. .

A man said at least two people were shot dead after breaking into the house he shares with his grandmother.

Part of the floor inside the rooms was stained with blood.

“There is never any respect for the residents. It’s a population, but I think they think they are in Iraq, ”he said. “We organize the sale (of the house) as soon as possible. It is no longer possible to live in the community.

The morning shooting trapped residents of the neighborhood inside their homes, including a couple identified as Michelle and Ignacio, whose wedding was due to take place at 9 a.m. local time at the Méier town hall registration office. .

Authorities search some of the ammunition and weapons that were confiscated

Authorities search some of the ammunition and weapons that were confiscated

An operation by the Rio de Janeiro civil police against drug trafficking in the Jacarezinho slum left 25 dead and provoked intense shooting Thursday morning

An operation by the Rio de Janeiro civil police against drug trafficking in the Jacarezinho slum left 25 dead and provoked intense shooting Thursday morning

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