Video shows retired police officer using a weapon before an alleged accidental shooting killed a young man; police investigate accident

Images from security cameras show the moment in which the retired sergeant of the Military Police of Maranhão (PM-MA), Paulo Araújo Ferreira, handles a firearm moments before the shot that killed Camila da Conceição Silva, aged 19, at a gas station in the Anil neighborhood, in São Luís. The Civil Police are investigating whether the shot was accidental.

In the images, the retired sergeant, who appears wearing a pink shirt, is next to a black car that had stopped at the station to refuel. He opens the trunk of the vehicle and moves the gun. Moments later, the shot hits Camila, who was in the back seat.

The video also shows two women getting out of the car after the shooting. According to the police, Camila was taken to Anil's Emergency Care Unit (UPA), but she succumbed to her injuries and died.

According to the Civil Police, the vehicle's occupants had consumed alcohol and were heading towards Residencial Nova Terra when they stopped at the gas station to refuel.

Police analyze images to clarify shooting

The State Superintendency of Homicide and Personal Protection (SHPP) is investigating the circumstances of the young woman's death and analyzing images from security cameras to identify how the shooting happened.

According to police chief George Marques, initial signs indicate that the gun went off while being handled by the retired sergeant. However, the police still need to hear from the military to clarify what happened.

"We still need to investigate further, listen to him too, so that we can identify at what exact moment the shot was fired, how he handled this firearm. But, it seems, at the moment he was handling this weapon, the weapon went off and fatally struck the victim who was in the back seat of the vehicle", said the delegate.

So far, three people have testified, including the two women who were in the car. The police must also listen to the gas station attendant.

The vehicle has not yet been seized for inspection and the weapon used in the shooting has not been handed over to the police for examination.

According to the Civil Police, Paulo Araújo Ferreira has not yet given a statement and there is no warrant for his arrest.

Young woman's family demands justice

The family of Camila da Conceição Silva, who is from the municipality of Brejo, in the interior of Maranhão, is asking for justice and hopes that the circumstances of her death will be clarified.

The victim's aunt, Ana Lúcia da Silva Barbosa, reported that the car's occupants were drinking alcohol before heading to the gas station. She also stated that the family suspects that something happened inside the vehicle before the shooting.

"They were drinking there, they left for this gas station, they said they were going to fill up the car. In our minds, something happened inside that car," he said.

According to the aunt, before the shooting, the sergeant asked where the gun was, which was stored in the trunk. She also reported that Camila had asked him not to take the gun.

The Civil Police continue to investigate the case to clarify the circumstances of the death.