Police Major Kills Son and Brother-in-Law in Maceió Hostage Crisis

Police Major Kills Son, Brother-in-Law in Maceió Hostage Standoff A tragic incident unfolded in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil on Saturday, June 7th, 2025, when Police Major Pedro Silva, 58, killed his 10-year-old son and his brother-in-law during a hostage situation at his ex-wife's home. Silva had been in detention since January for domestic violence against his ex-wife, but was granted a supervised visit with his son at the Police Academy. During the visit, he took his son and others hostage. "The major invaded his ex-wife's home and tragically killed his son and brother-in-law," stated a spokesperson for the Alagoas Public Security Secretariat. A tense standoff ensued before the BOPE (Special Operations Battalion) intervened, fatally shooting Silva. Silva's ex-wife and her sister were also held hostage but were rescued unharmed. The incident has raised serious questions about the safety protocols surrounding supervised visits for individuals with histories of domestic violence. An investigation is underway to determine how Silva managed to escape the Police Academy and acquire a weapon. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence.