Roraima declares mourning after death of Military Police officer

The Government of Roraima has declared three days of official mourning following the death of Military Police Sub-lieutenant Nelson Alexandre Ayres Castro, 51. The decree mandates that state flags be flown at half-mast in all Executive Power offices.

Ayres died on Thursday after being hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit of the Roraima General Hospital. He had been shot in the face on Saturday, October 12, during a suspected attempted robbery in the Jardim Caranã neighborhood of Boa Vista. The projectile reportedly became lodged in his jaw area.

A 28-year-old man, identified as João Carlos da Costa Duarte, was temporarily arrested by a joint task force involving the Civil Police and Military Police. He was apprehended in the Jardim Caranã neighborhood without resistance.

Ayres had served in the Roraima Military Police since 2003, accumulating 23 years of service. His family has launched a fundraising campaign via Pix to assist with funeral expenses.