Hundreds of residents of one of Rio de Janeiro's largest shantytowns marched Saturday to demand an end to the violence after an 8-year-old girl was killed by a stray bullet during a police operation.
Ágatha Sales Félix was hit by the bullet Friday in the Complexo do Alemao shantytown amid what police said was shootout with suspected criminals.
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Hundreds of residents of one of Rio de Janeiro's largest shantytowns marched Saturday to demand an end to the violence after an 8-year-old girl was killed by a stray bullet during a police operation.
According to the official version, police officers were standing on a corner when they were attacked from various directions. They responded to the attack. There were no reports of other people being injured or arrests during the incident.
Many blamed Gov. Wilson Witzel - a far-right ally of President Jair Bolsonaro who has pledged to give police a freer hand in fighting crime - for an increase in deaths during police operations.
A woman holds a sign with a message that reads in Portuguese: "Enough of death" during a protest demanding justice for 8-year-old Agatha Sales Felix who was killed by a stray bullet at the Alemao complex slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. According to the police, Sales Felix died after she was hit by a stray bullet on Friday night, during a confrontation with alleged drug traffickers and police officers. However residents said there was no exchange of gun fire at the time Sales Felix was hit by the stray bullet. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
Daniele Felix, center, is comforted by a relative as she attends a protest demanding justice for her 8-year-old niece Agatha Sales Felix who was killed by a stray bullet at the Alemao complex slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. According to the police Sales Felix died after she was hit by a stray bullet on Friday night, during a confrontation with alleged drug traffickers and police officers. However residents said there was no exchange of fire at the time Sales Felix was hit by the stray bullet. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
A woman cries as she prays during a protest demanding justice for 8-year-old Agatha Sales Felix who was killed by a stray bullet at the Alemao complex slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. According to the police, Sales Felix died after she was hit by a stray bullet on Friday night, during a confrontation with alleged drug traffickers and police officers. However residents said there was no exchange of fire at the time Sales Felix was hit by the stray bullet. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
People pray holding hands as they attend a protest at the site where 8-year-old Agatha Sales Felix was killed by a stray bullet at the Alemao complex slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. According to the police Sales Felix died after she was hit by a stray bullet, Friday night, during a confrontation with alleged drug traffickers and police officers. However residents said there was no exchange of fire at the time Sales Felix was hit by the stray bullet. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
People take part in a protest demanding justice for 8-year-old Agatha Sales Felix who was killed by a stray bullet at the Alemao complex slums in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. According to the police Sales Felix died after she was hit by a stray bullet on Friday night, during a confrontation with alleged drug traffickers and police officers. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
Residents blamed police for her death. Police confirmed her death and said an investigation had been opened.
A woman holds a sign with a message that reads in Portuguese: "More school, less bullets" in front of police officers during a protest demanding justice for 8-year-old Agatha Sales Felix who was killed by a stray bullet at the Alemao complex slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. According to the police, Sales Felix died after she was hit by a stray bullet on Friday night, during a confrontation with alleged drug traffickers and police officers. However residents said there was no exchange of gun fire at the time Sales Felix was hit by the stray bullet. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
According to the official version, police officers were standing on a corner when they were attacked from various directions. They responded to the attack. There were no reports of other people being injured or arrests during the incident.
"There was no shootout when Ágatha was hit," said shantytown resident Renata Trajana. "We know the atrocities that are happening here."
Hundreds of residents shouted "Justice! Justice!"
People hold a banner emblazoned with the name of 8-year-old Agatha Sales Felix who was killed by a stray bullet at the Alemao complex slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. According to the police, Sales Felix died after she was hit by a stray bullet on Friday night, during a confrontation with alleged drug traffickers and police officers. However residents said there was no exchange of fire at the time Sales Felix was hit by the stray bullet. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
Many blamed Gov. Wilson Witzel - a far-right ally of President Jair Bolsonaro who has pledged to give police a freer hand in fighting crime - for an increase in deaths during police operations.
People gather next to a police armored vehicle to protest at the site where 8-year-old Agatha Sales Felix was killed by a stray bullet at the Alemao complex slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. According to the police, Sales Felix died after she was hit by a stray bullet on Friday night, during a confrontation with alleged drug traffickers and police officers. However residents said there was no exchange of fire at the time Sales Felix was hit by the stray bullet. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
A woman holds a sign with a message that reads in Portuguese: "Enough of death" during a protest demanding justice for 8-year-old Agatha Sales Felix who was killed by a stray bullet at the Alemao complex slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. According to the police, Sales Felix died after she was hit by a stray bullet on Friday night, during a confrontation with alleged drug traffickers and police officers. However residents said there was no exchange of gun fire at the time Sales Felix was hit by the stray bullet. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
Daniele Felix, center, is comforted by a relative as she attends a protest demanding justice for her 8-year-old niece Agatha Sales Felix who was killed by a stray bullet at the Alemao complex slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. According to the police Sales Felix died after she was hit by a stray bullet on Friday night, during a confrontation with alleged drug traffickers and police officers. However residents said there was no exchange of fire at the time Sales Felix was hit by the stray bullet. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
A woman cries as she prays during a protest demanding justice for 8-year-old Agatha Sales Felix who was killed by a stray bullet at the Alemao complex slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. According to the police, Sales Felix died after she was hit by a stray bullet on Friday night, during a confrontation with alleged drug traffickers and police officers. However residents said there was no exchange of fire at the time Sales Felix was hit by the stray bullet. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
People pray holding hands as they attend a protest at the site where 8-year-old Agatha Sales Felix was killed by a stray bullet at the Alemao complex slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. According to the police Sales Felix died after she was hit by a stray bullet, Friday night, during a confrontation with alleged drug traffickers and police officers. However residents said there was no exchange of fire at the time Sales Felix was hit by the stray bullet. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)
People take part in a protest demanding justice for 8-year-old Agatha Sales Felix who was killed by a stray bullet at the Alemao complex slums in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. According to the police Sales Felix died after she was hit by a stray bullet on Friday night, during a confrontation with alleged drug traffickers and police officers. (AP PhotoLeo Correa)