A violent crime spree in the city of João Pessoa came to a dramatic and tragic end on Thursday, May 7th, following a failed robbery attempt at a public plaza. Authorities from the Polícia Civil have now indicated that the two suspects involved in the final incident were responsible for a sequence of earlier criminal acts throughout the day.
The series of events reportedly began in the morning in the Esplanada neighborhood. The suspects are then accused of targeting a tire shop located on Avenida Epitácio Pessoa later in the day. After allegedly robbing the commercial establishment, the duo proceeded to a kiosk situated in the Praça da Paz, in the Bancários district, where they attempted to commit another robbery.
It was at this final location that the situation escalated into a confrontation with law enforcement. According to the Polícia Militar, a shootout erupted between the suspects and police officers during the attempted robbery at the kiosk. The exchange of gunfire had devastating consequences for all involved.
One of the suspects, identified as 21-year-old Werick Batista dos Santos, was struck by gunfire during the altercation. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene in the plaza before emergency medical services could arrive. Two other individuals, described as bystanders who were present at the location, were also hit by shots fired during the incident. Both were transported to the Hospital de Emergência e Trauma de João Pessoa for treatment of their injuries.
The second suspect attempted to flee the scene following the shooting. However, his escape was short-lived. He was apprehended by an off-duty police officer from the ROTAM unit who happened to be passing through the area at the time of the incident. The officer successfully detained the fleeing individual.
The Polícia Civil has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing. Detectives are now working to determine the full extent of the duo's alleged criminal activities, looking into their potential involvement in other crimes reported in the capital of Paraíba. The case underscores the risks inherent in violent crime and the rapid response of local police forces.
Based on reporting from g1.