Bope’s action at Morro do Santo Amaro left 5 more people injured; agents’ weapons were seized
The governor of Rio de Janeiro, (PL)determined this Sunday (8.jun.2025) the removal of 2 commanders and 12 police officers involved in the Operation of Bope (Special Police Operations Battalion) that left a young man dead and 5 people injured during a June party on Friday (6.Jun.2025), at Morro do Santo Amaro, in Catete, south of the state capital.
The 2 commanders are the colonels André Luiz de Souza Batista, from COE (Special Operations Command), and Aristheu Lopes, from Bope. The dead young man was Herus Guimarães Mendes, 23, hit in the belly by a shot. He was even taken to but could not resist the injuries.
Castro stated that the investigations will be conducted by the Civil Police and the internal corregedoria of the PM with “Extreme rigor and agility”. He also expressed solidarity with the victims.
The weapons of the police involved were seized for expertise and the images of the body cameras will be made available to the Public Prosecution Service.
According to reports from residents, the action caused panic during the community event. Witnesses claim that the agents entered the community shooting while the party was underway.
The Military Police justified the operation as an emergency, claiming to have received information about the presence of armed criminals in the region. The corporation stated that there was a confrontation started by suspects.
The Civil Police reported that none of the 5 injured during the operation were involved in drug trafficking.
On Saturday morning (7.jun.2025), residents of the community held a demonstration on Pedro Américo Street. They demanded justice from the victims and protested against the police action held during the community event.
“Do you know what happened? It was military terrorism!”
The revolt of a resident of Santo Amaro exposes fear and indignation after Bope’s action on Friday night (6). The neighborhood became a scenario of another violent operation that terrified whole families.
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– Voice of the communities (@vozdacomunity)
Now | Act of justice by Herus Guimarães Mendes black young, slum in one voice: justice!
– Voice of the communities (@vozdacomunity)
Act of justice by Herus Guimarães
– Voice of the communities (@vozdacomunity)
