Ex-soldier suspected of killing Army sub-lieutenant dies in Bahia confrontation

Lázaro Santos da Conceição, a 27-year-old former soldier, died on Tuesday following a shootout with military police in the Monte Líbano area of Mata de São João, near Salvador, Brazil.

Conceição was the primary suspect in the September 2022 murder of Army sub-lieutenant Carlos André de Souza Paschoal, 43, who was killed inside the 6th Military Region Command Company in Salvador. Investigations into the 2022 incident suggested the suspect had sought medical attention at the unit before opening fire on the sub-lieutenant.

During the recent police operation, officers encountered an armed group that opened fire, leading to a confrontation. Although Conceição was transported to the Dr. Eurico Goulart de Freitas Municipal Hospital, he did not survive his injuries. Police seized a .38 caliber revolver, ammunition, and 101 portions of substances suspected to be crack, cocaine, and marijuana.

Authorities had also been investigating potential links between Conceição and the criminal faction Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), as well as allegations of torture and threats against Army superiors.