The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) opened a criminal investigation procedure to investigate the attempted murder against Juliana Leite Rangel, aged 26, shot in the head during an approach by the Federal Highway Police (PRF) on the Washington Luís highway, in Duque de Caxias, Baixada Fluminense, on Tuesday (24). The young woman is hospitalized in a very serious condition at the Adão Pereira Nunes Municipalized Hospital.
THE CNN Public Prosecutor Eduardo Benones, coordinator of the MPF’s External Control Center for Police Activity in Rio de Janeiro, stated that the body has already taken initial measures. “We will initiate the investigative procedure, contact the hospital to monitor the victim’s health status and check whether the Federal Police have already opened an investigation. We will also ask for the seizure of the weapons used in the attack”, he declared.
Benones reinforced the seriousness of the case and stated that the preliminary investigation is for attempted murder. “We are hoping for the young woman’s recovery so that this does not turn into a homicide investigation,” said the prosecutor.
THE CNN had exclusive access to the official document from the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) that authorizes the opening of the Criminal Investigative Procedure (PIC) against the federal highway police officers involved in the approach that seriously injured the young Juliana Leite Rangel, aged 26, shot in the head, in Duque de Caxias. Among the determinations, Attorney of the Republic Eduardo Benones requests:
TO PRF:
- Identification of the police officers involved and immediate removal from policing duties
- The collection of vehicles and weapons used in the incident for forensic examination
- Information about the type of assistance provided by the PRF to the victim and their family members
- Access to the administrative procedure initiated by the PRF Internal Affairs Department
To the Federal Police:
- Information about the measures taken by the Federal Judicial Police
- To the Adão Pereira Nunes Municipal Hospital
- Update on the health status of Juliana and her father, Alexandre Rangel, in addition to sending medical reports and identifying the medical teams involved in the care
To the BR-040 Concessionaire (CONCER):
- Images of the highway between 8pm and 10pm, on the night of the incident
Other cases involving the PRF in RJ
The PRF is also the target of legal action in two recent cases of violence in the state. In April 2024, the Federal Court partially accepted the MPF’s complaint against four federal highway police officers involved in the death of Anne Caroline Nascimento Silva, aged 23, during a traffic stop on the same Washington Luís highway, in June 2023.
The agents will respond for qualified homicide, attempted homicide and serious bodily injury. Anne was hit by one of the eight rifle shots fired at the car in which she was traveling with her husband. The case also left another victim, day laborer Cláudia dos Santos, injured by one of the shots.
Another case that is progressing is that of the girl Heloísa dos Santos, aged 3, who died in September 2023 in Arco Metropolitano, in Seropédica. The Federal Court received the MPF’s complaint against three highway police officers accused of completed murder, four attempted murders and procedural fraud.
Benones explained that charges against the agents have already been filed and are ongoing. “In the case of Anne Caroline, we await the instruction hearing, scheduled for March. Regarding Heloísa, we are waiting for the judge’s decision on the trial of the defendants by jury”, explained the prosecutor.
The three cases raise questions about the disproportionate use of police force. According to the MPF, investigations indicate that PRF agents acted negligently and with a clear intention to cause harm, as shown in the cases of Anne Caroline, Heloísa and Juliana.
PRF and PF positions
In a statement, the PRF General Inspectorate, in Brasília, announced the opening of an internal procedure to investigate the facts that occurred in the approach that resulted in the shooting of Juliana Leite Rangel.
“The PRF deeply regrets the episode. As determined by the General Directorate, the General Coordination of Human Rights monitors the situation and provides assistance to young Juliana’s family”, says the text.
The agents involved in the action were preventively removed from all operational activities.
The Federal Police reported that they opened an investigation to investigate the facts. “After being called by the Federal Highway Police, a team from the Federal Police was on site to carry out initial measures, which included examining the location, collecting statements from federal highway police officers and the victims, in addition to seizing the weapons for analysis by the Federal Highway Police. criminal technical expertise”, informed the PF.
Both bodies stated that they are cooperating to clarify the case and ensure that the appropriate measures are taken.
This content was originally published in MPF opens investigation against PRF police officers for attempted murder after young woman was shot in RJ on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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