After the death of a 3-year-old girl, Gilmar says that PRF “deserves to have its existence rethought”

The Minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) Gilmar Mendes lamented the death of the girl Heloísa dos Santos Silva, aged 3, shot in an approach by agents from the Federal Highway Police (PRF). In the social mediathe judge stated that the corporation “deserves to have its existence rethought”.

The girl was hit by rifle shots on the night of the 7th, when the family car was passing through Arco Metropolitano, in Seropédica, in Baixada Fluminense. According to Heloísa’s relatives, PRF agents opened fire on the family’s vehicle, hitting the child in the head and spine. After nine days in hospital, the child died this morning.

“Yesterday, Genivaldo was asphyxiated in a vehicle turned into a gas chamber. Now, the tragedy of the day falls on the girl Heloisa Silva. In addition to holding the agents involved criminally responsible, there is much more to be done. A police body that is involved in barbaric episodes like these – and that, in its spare time, is involved in attempted electoral coups – deserves to have its existence rethought. For structural violations, also structural measures”, wrote the minister.

In the post, Gilmar Mendes recalled the death of Genivaldo de Jesus Santos, aged 38, in Umbaúba (SE), last year, another case involving federal highway police officers. During the approach, Genivaldo was immobilized and locked inside a corporation vehicle filled with tear gas. He died of asphyxiation. In August, the Minister of Justice, Flávio Dino, fired the three agents involved in the action.

This Saturday (16), the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) requested the arrest of the three PRF agents involved in the action that resulted in the death of the girl Heloísa. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) stated that the child was “struck by gunfire from those who should take care of the population’s safety”.

“Little Heloisa dos Santos Silva, aged 3, died today, shot by someone who was supposed to take care of the population’s safety. Something that cannot happen. The pain of losing a daughter is so great that there is no name for this loss. There is nothing to console. My condolences and solidarity with the parents and other family members”, said the agent in the social media.

Dino reinforced that the action is being investigated. “Regarding the determination of administrative responsibility, I reiterate that the administrative process was initiated on the same day as the incident. My decision can only be issued at the end of the process, as the law determines. There is also a Police Inquiry at the Federal Police, which will be sent to the MPF and the Courts”, stated the Minister of Justice.