Rio Governor Admits Police to Blame for Death of 10-Year-Old Boy

04/14/2015 - 09h27

State governor of Rio de Janeiro, Luiz Fernando Pezão, admitted on Monday afternoon (13) that the Military Police were at fault for the death of ten-year-old Eduardo de Jesus Ferreira on April 2. According to Pezão, the police have registered the error and are devising new training for officers.

Ferreira was shot in the head outside his home in the Complexo do Alemão, in the north of Rio de Janeiro.

"It's a mistake no-one wants to admit. The action was mistaken. The police identified the officers, and saw from the location that an error had been made. Who investigated, who saw, and who did this work, was the police," Pezão said.

"I've spoken to the boy's father and I'll make sure the state provides all necessary comfort for the family. This incident shows the need for better training for our police officers," he continued.

Pezão also mentioned that the police were entering areas in which the state of Rio de Janeiro had not set foot for more than 30 years.

Homicide police were expecting to take testimonies on Monday from three of the officers who participated in the operation in which Ferreira died. However, two of the officers had their sick leave extended for another eight days last Wednesday and will not be required to make statements until it finishes. They are receiving psychological counselling.

Translated by TOM GATEHOUSE

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	Christophe Simon/AFP
	Eduardo Ferreira, 10, was shot in the head outside his home in the Complexo do Alemão, in the north of Rio de Janeiro