LAURO DE FREITAS, BAHIA, BRAZIL – DECEMBER 29, 2024 In the Chafariz neighborhood of Lauro de Freitas, a serious incident unfolded involving an armed clash between criminal groups and the police.
According to the Bahia No Ar news portal, nine armed individuals, allegedly members of organized crime, broke into a house on Dr. Castro Street in the Parque Jockey Clube area after a shootout with rivals and later with the police. They took a woman hostage during the standoff.
Before the incident, a shootout occurred between these individuals and members of a rival criminal group, resulting in the deaths of three people, according to witnesses. Subsequently, the group encountered a military police patrol and opened fire. Realizing they were surrounded, they retreated into a nearby house, holding residents as human shields.
During negotiations, which involved units from the Special Operations Battalion (BOPE), Rondesp, and the 52nd Military Police Company (CIPM), the group streamed live on Instagram, demanding the presence of family members and media representatives. After several hours, the hostage was freed, and the perpetrators surrendered to authorities.
According to Alô Juca, the detained individuals were members of the Comando Vermelho criminal organization, which is in a territorial dispute with the rival group Bonde do Maluco. During the operation, authorities seized five pistols, a rifle, a shotgun, a submachine gun, ballistic vests, ammunition, and drugs.
This incident highlights the dangers faced by residents of areas controlled by criminal organizations and underscores the challenges security forces encounter in combating organized crime in the region.
