Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Rio death toll rises to 25 after bloody clashes
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) -- The death toll from bloody clashes in Rio de Janeiro is up to 25 after authorities found more bodies.
The newly discovered victims include a young man found dead in a supermarket cart at the entrance to a slum that saw intense gang combat over the weekend. He was shot repeatedly and showed signs of having been tortured.
Most of the victims were suspected members of drug trafficking gangs. But a police spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday that three were partygoers who had originally been labeled as presumed criminals. She spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with policy.
A police helicopter was also downed by gunfire as gangs fought for territory, just two weeks after Rio won the 2016 Olympics. Three officers aboard died.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
