A woman due to celebrate her 25th birthday tomorrow has been shot dead after a plain-clothes cop tried to protect her from an armed robber and sparked a gun battle in the street.
Maria Eduarda Santana Nascimento, 24, was driving to work in southern Sao Paulo, Brazil, when the armed robber approached her car on Thursday, 1 October.
A Civil Police investigator who witnessed the robbery got out of his vehicle and opened fire on the suspect.
A shootout followed, with Maria Eduarda and suspected robber Alef Maciel both hit.
Maria Eduarda, known as Duda, was taken to Campo Limpo emergency hospital but died from her injuries.
Maciel was also taken for treatment and later died.
Police are now trying to establish whether the bullet that killed Maria Eduarda was fired by the robber or by the officer who intervened.
The officer's gun and a .32-calibre revolver recovered from the suspected robber were seized for forensic examination.
Investigators are also examining security and traffic camera footage, while bullet marks were found in the rear window and side of Maria Eduarda's car.
The 42-year-old officer gave evidence to the Civil Police internal affairs department and was later released.
Maria Eduarda would have turned 25 tomorrow, Tuesday, 6 October, and had already been planning her birthday celebration.
Her devastated father later hit out at the officer on social media, saying: "My daughter was on her way to work and unfortunately came across this, I don't even know what to call him, unprepared person who thought he was in the Wild West."
Maria Eduarda worked for VTEX Day, described as Latin America's largest digital commerce and innovation event.
Her employer said: "More than the important role she played in everything she did, what will stay with us is her kindness, generosity, joy and care.
"Duda was always smiling, and her smile and positive energy were truly contagious."
Relatives said she loved travelling, discovering new places and spending time with friends.
Her funeral and burial were held on Friday, 2 October, at a cemetery in Itapecerica da Serra in Greater São Paulo.
(Harrisons)
