Military Police Suspected in Colleague's Death Released

Two military police officers suspected of killing a colleague were heard and released on Monday, January 12. The officers are implicated in the death of soldier Paulo Henrique de Lima Silva, 37, who was shot during a fight on Sunday, January 11, outside the Sunrise Beach Club in Fortaleza.

According to the Security Secretariat, the officers were identified and presented themselves to the specialized unit. Their weapons were seized, and the investigation continues to clarify the incident. Both the victim and the suspects were off-duty during the altercation. Two other people were injured in the shooting, including a service provider for the beach club who is currently hospitalized.

The two military police officers suspected of the crime were heard by the police on Monday, January 12, and subsequently released. The Security Secretariat confirmed that the officers were identified and voluntarily presented themselves to the specialized unit.

During the process, the weapons of both men were seized. The Secretariat stated that investigations are following to elucidate the fact. Regarding the incident, the Security Secretariat released a statement:

"Two military police officers, suspects of the crime and who were also off-duty and involved in the occurrence, were identified. The two military personnel presented themselves at the specialized unit, where they were heard and the weapons of both were seized. Investigations continue with the aim of clarifying the fact," the statement read.

The identity of the investigated military personnel was not provided. It was also not clarified by the department if the man who slapped the murdered police officer is one of the officers who presented themselves to the police station.

The conflict occurred outside the Sunrise Beach Club in Praia do Futuro, Fortaleza. Security cameras recorded the moments prior to the crime. Paulo Henrique de Lima was in the external area of the establishment accompanied by a group.

At a certain moment, the soldier approached an unidentified man, and the two disagreed. Subsequently, a man slapped the soldier in the face, starting a fight. Moments after the discussion, Paulo Henrique was shot near the entrance of the club.

In addition to the soldier, two other people were shot. One of them is a security guard for the Sunrise Beach Club. According to the establishment, the man acts as a service provider for the booth. He was rescued and is hospitalized. The Security Secretariat confirmed that both the murdered agent and the suspected military personnel were off-duty when the confusion occurred.

The victim, Paulo Henrique de Lima Silva, known as "Sd P. Silva", was a soldier in the Military Police. He joined the corporation on June 11, 2018. At the time of his death, he was stationed in the 2nd Company of the 19th BPM in the capital.

The Military Police Command issued a statement expressing solidarity: "The Command of the Corporation sympathizes with the pain of family and friends, while placing the institution's apparatus at their disposal."

The Sunrise Beach Club also released a note clarifying that the episode occurred exclusively in the external area, before access to the beach club. The establishment emphasized that the shooters, already identified by the Police, have no professional, operational, or contractual ties to the establishment.

Regarding speculation that the suspect was a security guard, the club stated: "We clarify that this suspicion was not confirmed by the Sunrise Beach Club nor by the authorities responsible for the investigation, being mere speculation." The club also confirmed that no service provider is currently wanted and that the injured provider is receiving medical care.