A civil police officer in Rio de Janeiro has been arrested following the fatal shooting of a passenger in an app-based ride-hailing vehicle. The incident, stemming from a traffic altercation, has led to the officer's temporary detention and suspension from duty.
The arrested officer, Frede Uilson Souza de Jesus, was taken into custody on Friday night. His arrest was ordered by the 3rd Criminal Court of the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice. He was assigned to the 29th Police District in Madureira and was at the Capital Homicide Department (DHC) providing testimony when the warrant was issued.
The shooting occurred on Thursday afternoon in the Taquara neighborhood, in Rio's Southwest Zone. According to investigations, the officer became involved in a road dispute with the ride-hailing driver following a maneuver. Security camera footage captured the moment of the maneuver, showing the app-based car, a black vehicle, making a turn as a white Peugeot passed by.
Witnesses reported that the drivers argued, and during the confrontation, the occupant of the white vehicle fired shots at the ride-hailing car. One of the bullets struck Thamires Rodrigues de Souza Peixoto, who was seated in the back seat, in the back. The shooter then fled the scene.
The ride-hailing driver immediately rushed Thamires to the Emergency Care Unit (UPA) in Cidade de Deus. She arrived in serious condition but ultimately succumbed to her injuries. Thamires, a designer, leaves behind a husband and two daughters. She was scheduled to attend a Mother's Day celebration at her daughters' school on Friday, an event that was canceled out of respect for the victim.
The case was initially registered at the 32nd Police District in Taquara before being transferred to the Capital Homicide Department. The Civil Police stated that their Internal Affairs division has suspended the officer from his duties, initiated an internal investigation, and is overseeing the ongoing probe by the DHC.
In a statement, the Civil Police emphasized its rapid action in identifying and seeking the arrest of the perpetrator. The statement reiterated the institution's commitment to combating crime and defending society, asserting that it does not condone any type of misconduct. The victim's body was taken to the Forensic Medicine Institute (IML) for examination.
Based on reporting from g1.