The parents of eight-year-old Ágatha Félix, killed by a stray bullet in Rio's Complexo do Alemão favela, pleaded for justice and asked that the governor stop his policy of shooting in communities.
Vanessa Francisco Sales and Adegilson Félix asked for justice and sent a message to Rio Gov. Wilson Witzel (PSC): "Change this shooting policy. What happened to my daughter can happen to other people too," Adegilson said on the television show "Meeting with Fatima Bernardes." Witzel needs to understand that "not everyone who is on a motorcycle, cap or backpack is a thug," said the father.
The child was shot in the back while in a van with her mother last Friday night, in a location high up in Complexo do Alemão.
Relatives accuse the police of shooting, aiming to hit a motorcyclist, but instead shot hit the girl. Police say criminals attacked them and gunfire was exchanged. The case is under investigation by the Homicide Station.
Before the tragedy, Agatha's family said that they were considering leaving the highest part of the Alemão hill because of constant exchanges of fire between criminals and the police. The girl's mother remembers that the family took refuge when they heard gunshots.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon