Police investigate shooting death of elderly man after attempted robbery in Coelho Neto | Rio de Janeiro

Edson da Silva Junior was 61 years old and died during an attempted robbery in Coelho Netoreproduction

Published 04/01/2024 12:29 | Updated 01/04/2024 13:30

Rio – The Capital Homicide Police Station (DHC) is investigating the death of Edson Theodorio da Silva Junior, aged 61, who was shot during an attempted robbery in Coelho Neto, in the North Zone, last Saturday night (30). The elderly man will be buried at the Irajá Cemetery, this Monday (1st), at 2pm.

On the night of that Easter Eve, according to the Military Police, agents from the Special Roads Policing Battalion (BPVE) were called to the occurrence of an “attempted robbery” on Rua Cajurana. At the scene, the military found Edson injured and took the man to the Albert Schweitzer Municipal Hospital. In a note, the Municipal Health Department (SMS) reported that “the patient was admitted to the unit already dead.”

To the DAY, Valéria Elzita, Edson Theodorio’s eldest niece, said that the family were returning from a shopping mall, where they bought chocolates for Easter. “Edson was driving with an uncle and two other aunts of mine. After they passed Avenida Brasil, they were surprised by two motorbikes with two guys on each, who closed the car”, she explained.

According to Valéria’s report, no one knows why one of the criminals shot. “Suddenly, a guy shot and the shot hit my uncle in the neck. My aunts got out of the car, but they thought it hadn’t hit anyone. When one of them opened the driver’s door and took off Edson’s belt, he fell face down on the ground. That’s when the bandits got scared, they didn’t take the car, but they stole the bags of chocolate”, said Valéria.

When contacted, the Fire Department stated that it was not called to remove the elderly man’s body from Rua Cajurana. However, Theodorio’s niece said that, after the shots, a military police officer got into their car and drove to Albert Schweitzer.

According to the Civil Police, the case was registered with DHC, which is investigating the episode “to determine who was responsible for the crime.”

*Reporting by intern Leonardo Marchetti, under the supervision of Iuri Corsini