State Police Officer Indicted for Ágatha Félix Killing in Rio de Janeiro

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Judge Viviane Ramos de Faria, of the 1st Criminal Court of Rio de Janeiro, granted the indictment filed by the State Prosecutor’s Office (MPRJ) on December 3rd against the state police corporal Rodrigo José de Matos Soares, charged with the death of 8-year-old Ágatha Vitória Sales Félix, in the community of Fazendinha, Complexo do Alemão, on September 20th.

The decision was handed down by the judge on December 5th and resulted in the State Police officer’s prosecution. The officer is indicted for the crime of doubly-aggravated homicide (a futile motive and an appeal that made it difficult to protect the victim).

The judge further determined precautionary measures, such as Soares’ exclusion from street patrolling and the suspension of gun possession. He will not be able to leave Rio de Janeiro without judicial authorization or have any contact with the witnesses involved in the proceedings.

The police officer is also required to appear on a monthly basis at the 1st Criminal Court of Rio de Janeiro.

According to the indictment lodged by the MPRJ, Ágatha was sitting in a van that was carrying passengers in that favela community when she was shot by bullet fragments fired by the State police officer in an attempt to arrest two suspects.

Investigations by the Homicide Police Department overturned the self-defense argument brought by the police officer when they found that there had been no gunfire at the scene at the time.

Source: Agência Brasil