A seven-year-old girl was fatally shot in the head during a suspected attempted hit on her father.
Eduarda Cruz dos Santos Bastos died yesterday (22 Jun) morning after being shot in the head during a break-in at the family home.
Around five armed men are believed to have forced their way in after smashing through the back door in the early hours.
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Eduarda was at home with her mother, Thais Iolanda, and her father, Leandro Abreu, at the time.
When the intruders entered the home in Nova Iguaçu, Brazil, Leandro fled. Police believe he was the intended target.
Witnesses reported hearing gunfire for around 15 minutes.
Thais told local media: “They broke down our house, forced their way in and came inside saying they were from BOPE (Special Police Operations Battalion), saying they were the police.”
She told Eduarda to hide in a bedroom wardrobe during the chaos.
Eduarda did as she was told, but, in a state of panic, later opened the door to see what was happening.
At that moment, she was struck in the head by a bullet.
“She opened the door to look, and they shot her,” Thais said.
According to accounts gathered by police at the scene, one of the intruders panicked after realising the girl had been hit, and the group fled.
Eduarda was taken to hospital in a critical condition, as reported by Need To Know.
Despite receiving emergency treatment, she suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest and died.
Police are now working to identify those responsible and determine the motive for the crime.
Both Thais and Leandro have been interviewed by police.
Eduarda is believed to be the eighth child shot, and the third killed by gunfire, in the Greater Rio de Janeiro area in 2026.
Thais said: “My daughter was innocent. A little girl full of dreams. She dreamed of becoming a police officer.”
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