A motorcycle influencer was shot dead in a shootout between a police tactical unit and armed criminals.
He had popped out to pick up an online order when the horror unfolded.
Mateus da Silva Ferreira was found lying in a heap on the street on Friday (21 Jun).
He was taken to a local hospital, but medics could only pronounce him dead.
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He had just turned 22 years old.
Ferreira had been with his girlfriend moments before the shooting.
She said he had gone out to pick up a package for her when she heard loud bangs.
She told local media: “I messaged him asking, ‘Where are you? Are you okay? There’s gunfire here.’
“I looked out the window and there were two people down, but it wasn’t him.
“When I looked again half an hour later, he was lying on the ground.”
According to the police, officers were conducting a search in the area when they were surprised by about 10 armed crooks.
They took cover in a building and requested support from the BOPE special police operations battalion.
Tactical police officers arrived on the scene and four gunmen were injured in the ensuing gunfire exchange.
Two later died from their injuries, as reported on Need To Know.
Ferreira’s girlfriend said that as he lay on the ground, the police prevented him from receiving help.
The police, in turn, say he was allegedly wielding a rifle when he was shot.
However, both his girlfriend and his family deny that he was involved in crime.
The police reportedly seized three rifles, two magazines, 14 rounds of ammo, and 11 grenades during the operation.
Ferreira boasted more than 77,000 followers on Instagram, where he showed off his dangerous motorbike stunts.
His girlfriend wrote: “I love you so much, my life is shattered. I wouldn’t wish this pain on anyone.
“You always took me along on your crazy adventures.
“Even with people around me, I feel alone. You were my home. My home was in your arms, in your smile.
“I wish this were all just a bad dream.”
Ferreira was laid to rest in Rio yesterday Sunday (23 Jun).
The case is being investigated and the officers involved have been questioned.
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