Official reports from the Brazilian Navy or government statements

Navy Deploys 250 Soldiers, Armored Vehicles to Secure Hospital After Doctor's Stray Bullet Death in Rio

Dec 12, 2024, 03:35 PM

The Brazilian Navy has initiated a significant security operation around the Marcílio Dias Naval Hospital in Rio de Janeiro following the death of Navy doctor Gisele Mendes de Souza e Mello, who was killed by a stray bullet on Tuesday, December 10. The operation includes the deployment of at least eight armored vehicles, 40 vehicles in total including tanks, and 250 soldiers, including marines, to ensure the safety of hospital staff and patients. The action, which has no set end date, comes in response to the ongoing security issues in the area, particularly in the Complexo do Lins, where the hospital is located. The Navy's move is seen as a statement to the Rio de Janeiro government, highlighting its perceived inability to protect the health facility. Gisele, a Sea and War Captain, was attending an event at the Navy Health School when she was hit by the stray bullet during a police operation in the Gambá community. Her body will be cremated at a ceremony at 15:00 on Thursday at the São Francisco Xavier Crematorium.