RIO DE JANEIRO SECURITY INCIDENTS – 2ND BULLETIN OF MAY

Rio de Janeiro has already recorded 16 people killed by gunfire during robberies or attempted robberies in 2026, according to data from the Fogo Cruzado Institute. The average indicates one death every two days in the metropolitan region. This number represents almost double the number recorded in the same period of 2025, when nine people were killed between January 1st and 26th. In addition to the deaths, another 12 people were injured in such incidents this year, totaling 28 gunshot victims. In the same period of 2025, the survey indicated 27 people shot in robberies or attempted robberies, with nine deaths and 18 injuries.

One of the main sources of profit for organized crime in the state, the illegal sale of internet services has come under police scrutiny. The Undersecretariat of Intelligence of the Public Security Secretariat reported on Tuesday that it had identified more than one hundred locations in the Rio Metropolitan Region where this type of business is exploited by criminal groups with the help of companies working for drug traffickers and militias. Meanwhile, some residents of areas near these communities have opted to connect to the internet via satellite to escape the criminals’ actions. Most of the more than one hundred locations identified by the intelligence sector of the Security Secretariat are located in communities in the city of Rio, in the Baixada Fluminense region, and also in São Gonçalo. In areas dominated by criminals, official companies are prohibited from carrying out maintenance or new installations. From there, illegal groups begin to exploit internet and cable TV services, among others. In the Muzema and Rio das Pedras areas of Itanhangá, and in Gardênia Azul, Jacarepaguá, alone, the department identified 18 companies exploiting the service. The first and third areas are controlled by drug traffickers, while the second is under the control of the militia. It is estimated that criminal groups collect R$ 3 million monthly from this illegal business. In the state of Rio, in just the first four months of the year, vehicles and even company facilities in the sector were set on fire by criminals in Cachoeiras de Macacu, Japeri, Paracambi, and Maricá, in the Metropolitan Region. Points of this illicit activity were identified in at least 37 of the state’s 92 municipalities.

08/05/2026 –Federal Police agents at Rio de Janeiro International Airport arrested a 19-year-old man on Friday (08) afternoon for transporting approximately one hundred bottles of weight-loss medication and 50 bottles of anabolic steroids. The arrested man, originally from Brasília, was apprehended as he disembarked from a commercial flight from Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná.

10/05/2026 – A man was arrested Sunday (10) night at Galeão Airport after disembarking from a commercial flight from Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná. He was carrying weight-loss medications — tirrizepatide and retartitida — and vials of anabolic steroids.

11/05/2026 – Robber killed and another injured after attempted robbery against police officers in Pavuna. On Monday afternoon (11), two police officers were approached by criminals on a motorcycle in Pavuna, North Zone of Rio. The bandits tried to rob the police officers, who reacted with gunfire. One criminal died at the scene and the other (“Prejudicado”) was taken to the Getúlio Vargas State Hospital, in Penha, in serious condition. The Military Police confirm that it was an attempted robbery of an armed police officer.

11/05/2026 – A trans woman sentenced to more than six years in prison for stealing cell phones from tourists and patrons of Rio de Janeiro’s nightlife was arrested again by the Civil Police this Monday (11), in Lapa, in the Center of Rio. According to investigators, she was part of a gang specialized in acting in disguise to steal belongings from victims in areas of high nighttime circulation. According to the agents, the group approached victims with seemingly friendly approaches, such as asking for cigarettes, conversations and hugs, to distract tourists and patrons while the thefts were committed.

15/05/2026 – The Civil Police apprehended, this Friday (15), six of eight teenagers investigated for participation in the gang rape of a 12-year-old girl in Campo Grande, in the West Zone of Rio. According to the corporation, the minors were located in the neighborhoods of Campo Grande and Santíssimo during an operation by the Special Police Station for Women (Deam) of Campo Grande, with the support of the Child and Adolescent Protection Police Station (DPCA). Two other teenagers are still being sought.

16/05/2026 – A military police officer was shot during an exchange of gunfire with suspects on Saturday morning (16), in Rio Comprido, in the Central Zone of Rio. According to the Military Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro, agents from the 4th BPM (São Cristóvão) were carrying out a tactical encirclement to approach two men on a motorcycle when they were attacked. According to the corporation, the suspects fired at the police officers, who reacted. During the confrontation, an agent was hit and taken to the Central Hospital of the Military Police (HCPM).

17/05/2026 – A woman died after being hit by a stray bullet during a confrontation between military police and criminals on Clarimundo de Melo Street in Quintino, in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro. Isabel Santos de Souza was taken to the Salgado Filho Municipal Hospital in Méier, but did not survive her injuries. According to the Military Police, officers from the 9th Battalion (Rocha Miranda) were attacked during a patrol by a group of armed men on three motorcycles. A confrontation ensued, and after the shooting stopped, the officers were informed that a woman had been hit by a stray bullet.