RIO VERMELHO, SALVADOR, BAHIA, BRAZIL – DECEMBER 1, 2024 In Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, a shocking and brutal incident occurred, which can only be described as a cold-blooded execution. On December 1, 2024, in the Rio Vermelho area, 17-year-old Gabriel Santos Costa was shot by an off-duty police officer at the moment he was lying on the ground with his hands behind his head, as instructed. Alongside him was a 19-year-old young man who was also shot but survived.
The entire horrific act was captured on video, which quickly spread across social media. The video shows the two young men lying on the asphalt, completely defenseless and complying with instructions, when an unidentified man, dressed in civilian clothes, approaches and shoots them without warning. The police officer, who was not wearing any identifying marks or uniform, walks up to them, shouts at them, and mercilessly shoots them at point-blank range, even though they were already under control and had no chance to defend themselves.
Witnesses nearby could not help but be horrified by what they had just seen. Instead of a law enforcement officer protecting lives, there was a complete abuse of power and a dehumanization of the victims. The young men, lying on the ground and obediently following orders, were executed like targets, with no justification for the violence.
After carrying out this cold execution, the officer quickly fled, got into a white car, and left the scene as if nothing had happened. It was only hours later, when the video went viral on the internet, that he voluntarily presented himself for questioning. During the interrogation, he claimed to have acted in self-defense, alleging that he had been robbed. However, this claim remains unverified, and the police investigation is focusing on witness testimonies and footage from local security cameras that may shed light on the truth and help uncover what happened in this unprecedented tragedy.
A request for his pretrial detention was made, but the court decision on whether he will remain in custody was postponed. This tragic case not only exposes the abuse of power but also raises serious questions about the safety and accountability of those entrusted with the duty to protect, not destroy.
