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Deadly shootings in São Paulo claim lives of 19 people in span of three hours | Deadly shootings in São Paulo claim lives of 19 people in span of three hours |
(about 2 hours later) | |
At least 19 people were shot to death within the span of about three hours in Brazil’s biggest metropolitan area, according to law enforcement officials. | At least 19 people were shot to death within the span of about three hours in Brazil’s biggest metropolitan area, according to law enforcement officials. |
Alexandre de Moraes, the head of the São Paulo state public safety department, said at a news conference that police are trying to determine if Thursday night’s shootings in the suburbs of Osasco, Barueri and Itapevi, on the western outskirts of São Paulo, are related. | Alexandre de Moraes, the head of the São Paulo state public safety department, said at a news conference that police are trying to determine if Thursday night’s shootings in the suburbs of Osasco, Barueri and Itapevi, on the western outskirts of São Paulo, are related. |
He said 15 of the victims were shot dead in Osasco, three were killed in Barueri and one in Itapevi. Seven people were wounded and are hospitalized. | He said 15 of the victims were shot dead in Osasco, three were killed in Barueri and one in Itapevi. Seven people were wounded and are hospitalized. |
The mayor of Osasco, Jorge Lapas, told the Globo TV network the killings may have been in reprisal for the recent shooting deaths of two police officers. | The mayor of Osasco, Jorge Lapas, told the Globo TV network the killings may have been in reprisal for the recent shooting deaths of two police officers. |
At least 10 of the dead were shot at a bar after hooded men got out of a car and opened fire. | At least 10 of the dead were shot at a bar after hooded men got out of a car and opened fire. |
Related: Rio de Janeiro police killed 1,500 in five years, says Amnesty International | Related: Rio de Janeiro police killed 1,500 in five years, says Amnesty International |
Not far away, one young man was shot outside an ice cream store. In the area, another man was shot by two men riding a motorcycle. | Not far away, one young man was shot outside an ice cream store. In the area, another man was shot by two men riding a motorcycle. |
Other shootings took place at five other locales. | Other shootings took place at five other locales. |
Citing witnesses, Moraes said that in at least two instances, gunmen wearing face masks arrived and asked who had criminal histories. Those who said they did were shot. | Citing witnesses, Moraes said that in at least two instances, gunmen wearing face masks arrived and asked who had criminal histories. Those who said they did were shot. |
“We will investigate if the killings were committed by drug traffickers, by off-duty police officers or were acts of vengeance for the recent killings of two police officers.” | “We will investigate if the killings were committed by drug traffickers, by off-duty police officers or were acts of vengeance for the recent killings of two police officers.” |
Amnesty International said in a statement the killings were a “massacre”. | |
Atila Roque, who heads the organization’s Brazil branch, said “unfortunately massacres like this one in São Paulo have become part of the routine of violence in our cities”. | |
“Off- and on-duty policemen are frequently responsible for a significant portion of these homicides. A swift, impartial and transparent investigation must be conducted to discover who is responsible for this barbaric act.” | “Off- and on-duty policemen are frequently responsible for a significant portion of these homicides. A swift, impartial and transparent investigation must be conducted to discover who is responsible for this barbaric act.” |