World · Latin America · 1 day ago

Rio police secretary’s death investigated after officers are suspended

Rio police secretary’s death investigated after officers are suspended

Queimados secretary Jefferson Dias da Silva was killed during a police pursuit on Avenida Brasil in Rio de Janeiro.

He was 51 and served as the city’s economic development secretary.

Rio’s homicide police are investigating the shooting, and the officers involved have given statements to civil police.

The officers said they heard shots at several points during the pursuit; one said he fired seven rifle shots because he believed there was imminent danger.

Investigators will review officers’ body-camera footage, while their weapons have been seized for forensic testing.

The state military police have opened an internal inquiry, and interim Governor Ricardo Couto ordered the officers removed from duty.

The investigations are examining the circumstances of the shooting and the officers’ conduct.

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