A 10-year-old girl lost her life in a heartbreaking shooting while traveling to her cousin’s birthday party with her father in Baixada Fluminense, Brazil. Sophia Loren Soares Camilo suffered fatal injuries when an armed assailant opened fire on their vehicle, leaving both father and daughter wounded.
The Deadly Encounter
The incident unfolded around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, as Sophia and her father, Diogo, drove through a local street. Authorities report that the suspect approached the car and ordered Diogo to stop. Diogo activated his hazard lights and identified himself as a resident, but the assailant fired eight rounds into the vehicle.
Sophia sustained six gunshot wounds to her chest and legs, while Diogo was injured in his lower body. Despite his wounds, Diogo drove to a nearby hospital, where Sophia was treated in critical condition. Both were later transferred to another facility, but Sophia tragically passed away from her injuries.
Family’s Heartfelt Tributes
Sophia’s uncle, Victor Rocha, remembered her as a “sweet, kind girl who had dreams.” He shared, “She loved to hug. She was an exceptional girl. She already talked to me about her dreams and plans, even though it was childish stuff.”
Victor described the devastating event: “Diogo was coming from the mall with my niece, in his car, to bring her to my nephew’s party, when he was approached by a highly drugged individual with a gun in his hand. This guy managed to destroy two families at the same time. He shattered the dream of a 10-year-old child and ruined the life of a father, not to mention the rest of the family.”
Sophia’s cousin, Clayton Soares, expressed profound grief and a call for justice: “It’s very difficult. We’re even speechless. We just want justice because otherwise he’ll be back on the streets soon. He destroyed two families. We are devastated. We just want justice and I hope that happens.”
Police Response and Arrest
Military police swiftly responded to the scene in the Gogó da Ema community, Bom Pastor neighborhood, in Belford Roxo. Officers from the 39th Battalion arrested the suspect after he attempted to hide nearby. The firearm used in the shooting was seized, and the case was referred to the 54th Police Station.
Investigators confirm the suspect remains in custody as the probe into the motives and circumstances continues.
