Civil police officer Wellington Lourenço Soares died during an attempted robbery in Barra da Tijuca, in the West Zone of Rio, this Wednesday. He was on Avenida Lúcio Costa, bordering the beach, when he was approached by an armed robber and reacted. In the exchange of gunfire, the suspect was injured and died at the scene. The police officer, also shot, was taken to Lourenço Jorge Municipal Hospital, where he arrived dead. He was assigned to the 52nd DP, in Nova Iguaçu.
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Wellington, a Civil Police registry officer, was in civilian clothes near a restaurant on the avenue, at no. 8 thousand. According to the Military Police, policing has been reinforced in the region. The investigation is carried out by the Capital Homicide Police Station (DHC).
Globo’s RJ2 newspaper pointed out that Wellington was being investigated for possible involvement with the militia. He was once one of the targets of an operation against militiamen and had a weapon seized.
Robbery attempt
Witnesses, who work close to the crime scene, told GLOBO that Wellington was entering the restaurant when he was approached by two armed men. They allegedly fired shots at the police officer, who also had a gun and fired in defense.
During the exchange of gunfire, the police officer managed to hit one of the men, and, according to reports, he was hit in the arm. The other suspect reportedly managed to flee the scene before police arrived. When the teams arrived, they helped Wellington, who reported that he was short of breath.
— Whoever was on the street saw the police officer with the gun in his hand and his arm injured. He kept repeating that he was out of breath. Afterwards, he was taken away by a vehicle – reveals a young man who works near the restaurant.
