Rio de Janeiro police operation leaves six-year-old boy injured

A six-year-old boy, Lucas Afonso de Carvalho, lost vision in his left eye after being struck by rifle fragments during a police operation in Rio de Janeiro's North Zone. The incident occurred on Wednesday in the Favela do Metrô region near Mangueira while the child was playing on his building's balcony.

The operation, conducted by the Robbery and Theft Station (DRF), targeted a scrap metal yard on Rua São Francisco Xavier. According to the Civil Police, officers were attacked during the inspection, which resulted in the seizure of stolen copper cables and other equipment. A woman suspected of managing the scrap yard was arrested for qualified receiving.

The injury prompted local residents to protest by blocking sections of Avenida Rei Pelé and Rua São Francisco Xavier with barricades and burning tires. The boy underwent surgery to remove fragments and was transferred to Hospital Municipal Souza Aguiar. The Human Rights and Citizenship Commission of the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj) is monitoring the case.