Security Officer Dies After Being Shot by Drug Dealers in Slum
Officer Hélio Vieira, a 35 year old member of the Brazil's national security force, died on Thursday (11).
He suffered a gunshot wound to the head on Wednesday (10), after entering the Vila do João community, in the Maré complex, by mistake. The announcement of his death came on the night of the 11th and was made by Minister of Justice Alexandre de Moraes, via one of his social media accounts.
On Friday morning (12), the federal government declared an official period of mourning for the officer. The death of Viera, who had been assigned by the Roraima Military Police, is the first among Olympic security officers. Another officer was shot during the same assault.
In an interview with Folha last month, Moraes said that crime was more worrisome than terrorism during the Olympics.
The officer assault was referenced by Minister of Defense Raul Jungmann, during the announcement for the modification of the safety plan at the Deodoro Sports Complex, in Rio's west zone.
The decision came after two rifle projectiles were found at the Olympic Equestrian Centre on Saturday (6) and Wednesday (10), and after a bus full of journalists was attacked as it made its way along Transolímpica, which connects Deodoro to the Barra da Tijuca Olympic site.
In response, the military surrounded the area at 2 am on Thursday morning, to keep delinquents from leaving the slum.
In the morning, officers from BOPE (Battalion of Special Operations) and the Federal Police began the operation on the community. Four men, between the ages of 18 and 32, were shot. Igor Barbosa Gregório, 23, died from a bullet to the head.
Translated by SUGHEY RAMIREZ