Rescue attempt turns deadly
2008-07-16 09:19
Rio de Janeiro - A man abducted in his car by an armed assailant in Rio de Janeiro was fatally shot by police as they attempted to rescue him, authorities said Tuesday.
The victim, a 35-year-old office worker, and the 18-year-old who seized him were both killed late on Monday when police officers pursuing the car got into a gunfight with the kidnapper and hit them both several times.
They were taken to hospital where they died.
Images of the shootout caught by a television camera crew showed the two officers had not acted properly and they would be punished, a police spokesperson, Colonel Rogerio Leitao, said.
It was the second time in nine days that police had caused unnecessary civilian deaths.
On July 5, a three-year-old boy was shot dead when police mistook the car he was travelling in with his mother and brother for one used by criminals.
Rio is one of the most violent cities in Brazil. Last year, police killed 1 260 people, all of whom were labelled criminals.
- AFP