A distraught off-duty policeman killed himself after accidentally shooting his friend in the head. Flavio de Oliveira turned his own gun on himself after realising what had happened.
The, 31, who recently graduated from military police school, had apparently spent the afternoon drinking at a bar in Goiania, central west Brazil, with his friends.
He had planned to drive home after socialising and was inside his car last Thursday chatting to his mates, gathered on the roadside beside the vehicle, when a single shot rang out.
The bullet, which allegedly came from inside the stationery vehicle, hit Matheus Castro at point blank range.
The 20-year-old student was sitting astride his motorbike, dressed in a black t-shirt, close to the open window on the passenger side.
Everyone scattered as the victim’s bike toppled over and he fell to the ground, his body obscured by a pole. He was rushed alive to hospital but died shortly afterwards from his injuries.
CCTV released by investigators shows de Oliveira getting out of his car and walking around to the opposite side where his friend lay dying on the tarmac.
Detectives claimed the desperate cop apparently took a moment to check what he had done then walked back to the driver’s side.
He leaned inside took out the weapon and without appearing to hesitate, shot himself in the temple.
His body immediately slumped forward coming to rest on the car door.
He was declared dead at the scene.
Murder detective Magda D’Avila said witnesses reported the officer had been drinking heavily with friends for several hours at an ice cream bar and this may have impaired his judgement when he handled the gun without ‘due care’.