Rio Governor Fires Commanders After Police Kill Office Boy at June Festival

Rio Governor Acts After Deadly Police Operation at June Festival Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Governor Cláudio Castro has dismissed the commanders of the elite BOPE and COE police units and removed 12 officers from active duty following a controversial operation that left one person dead and five injured during a Festa Junina celebration in the Morro Santo Amaro neighborhood of Catete. The incident sparked public outrage and calls for accountability. The operation, which took place in the early hours of Saturday, June 7th, involved 18 BOPE officers, but only 12 were directly involved in the fatal confrontation. The victim, identified as 24-year-old Herus Guimarães, an office boy, was killed during the event. His family described him as a kind person and mourned his loss. "They ended my life," said Mônica, Herus's mother, in a heartbreaking interview. Governor Castro announced the dismissals and suspensions via social media, stating he had ordered the immediate removal of those responsible for authorizing the operation. The Public Ministry has requested the preservation of all body camera footage from the officers involved. The incident underscores concerns about police tactics and accountability in the favelas of Rio. The investigation is ongoing, and the body camera footage is expected to play a key role in determining the circumstances surrounding the death of Herus Guimarães and the injuries to others.