RN cities suffer shooting attacks and arson during dawn

A series of occurrences – such as shooting attacks, as well as fires in vehicles, businesses and public buildings – were recorded in cities in Rio Grande do Norte during the early hours of this Tuesday (14).

According to the Secretary of Public Security and Social Defense (Sesed) in Rio Grande do Norte, one suspect died in a confrontation with police and two other suspects were arrested.

Sesed also reported that it increased its staff to contain what it defined as “possible increase in criminal occurrences”.

“The episodes were restricted to dawn, between midnight and 2 am this Tuesday (14). The security forces remain mobilized,” the Secretariat told the CNN in note.

The government of Rio Grande do Norte informed the CNN which still does not have the exact list of cities that were affected by the attacks.

A CNN confirmed that the Justice Forum in the city of Parnamirim was set on fire by criminals during the early hours of the morning, but there were no injuries.

Videos circulating on social networks recorded part of the chaotic scenes this morning.

For example, in the community of Santa Luzia in the municipality of Touros, a resident recorded a bus being set on fire. A property in the vicinity also appears to be hit by the flames.

In Mossoró, the second most populous city in Rio Grande do Norte, this Tuesday morning, a man saw a garbage collection truck set on fire.

In the city of Coronel Ezequiel, a Military Police vehicle was shot at, but there are no reports of injuries.

Criminals also set fire to vehicles in the vicinity of the city of Lajes Pintadas.

Around midnight on Tuesday (14), security cameras at a supermarket in the municipality of Macau recorded the moment when criminals broke down the door of the establishment and set fire to the products.