18 people were killed in a shootout between Rio de Janeiro police and gunmen
As a result of a special police operation in Rio de Janeiro, 18 people were killed in a slum of the city, Globo TV reports.
The command of the Special Police Operations Battalion (BOPE) confirmed information about the death of a large number of slum dwellers in Complexo do Alemão – 16 people were suspected of participating in a gang of kidnappers who carried out the operation against them. Outside. Another fatality is a 50-year-old local citizen who was accidentally shot by security forces, and the 18th victim is a police officer.
According to BOPE spokesperson, Oira Nascimento, the operation was carried out against a gang of kidnappers who were involved in the theft and resale of vehicles. Local residents confirmed that the gang members were wearing local police uniforms – in addition to being heavily armed. The bandits were eliminated during the shooting battle that began – they resisted the BOPE detachment during arrest.
The Coordinator of Special (Essential) Resources of the Civil Police, Fabricio Oliveira, said that this incident, which resulted in the death of a large number of people, including those who were not involved, will be investigated.
