Brazil: Shooting in Rio De Janeiro Leaves Four Dead

Crime scene in Barao de Drumond Square, Rio de Janeiro, Aug. 19, 2024. Photo: X/ @FogoCruzadoRJ

August 19, 2024 Hour: 8:24 am

The crime occurred in a territory disputed between the drug trafficking groups Third Pure Command and the Red Command.

Around midnight on Sunday, at least four people were killed, and three others were injured in Rio de Janeiro after several armed men opened fire on a group of people.

This occurred at Barão de Drumond Square, a busy spot in the Vila Isabel neighborhood, where dozens of people were attending an event.

The Military Police reported that two of the victims died at the scene, while two others, including a 17-year-old teenager, died at the hospitals to which they were taken. The three injured individuals remain hospitalized.

Witnesses stated that the attackers were traveling in cars and on motorcycles. The suspects managed to escape, and members of the Military Police’s Sixth Battalion have increased security in the area.

🚨💀 Tiros em Vila Isabel, na Zona Norte do Rio, deixando pelo menos quatro mortos e muitos feridos. Aconteceu por volta das meia noite, na Praça Barão de Drumond.
Segundo informações de testemunhas, os tiros podem ter sido causados por disputa por entre traficantes. pic.twitter.com/9MpipQHLNw
— Faca na Caveira oficial💀 (@oficial_caveira) August 19, 2024

The text reads, “Shots in Vila Isabel in the northern part of Rio left at least four dead and many wounded. This happened around midnight, in Barão de Drumond square. According to information from witnesses, the shots could have been caused by a dispute between drug traffickers.

Authorities have indicated that investigations are already underway to determine the motive for the crime, which appears to be related to a territorial dispute between criminal factions.

The Vila Isabel neighborhood, particularly the Morro dos Macacos area, located near the scene, has been the setting for an ongoing war since the beginning of the year between the Third Pure Command (TCP), which currently controls the community, and the Red Command (CV).