São Paulo police face scrutiny after deaths of individuals in psychiatric crisis

The Military Police of São Paulo are facing intense scrutiny following the deaths of three individuals experiencing psychiatric crises in less than two weeks. The incidents involve Gustavo Munis de Santana, Camila Pereira da Silva, and Antônio Nunes Batista.

In the case of 20-year-old Gustavo Munis de Santana, police fired 45 shots in less than five seconds during an intervention in the Moema area. Santana was struck by 27 bullets. While São Paulo Public Security Secretary Osvaldo Nico Gonçalves defended the action as a legitimate response to a perceived threat, Santana’s mother criticized the use of force, questioning why such a high number of shots could be considered protocol during a suspected suicide attempt.

The deaths have reignited demands for better police training and established protocols for coordinating with health services during mental health emergencies. Families of the victims have denounced the disproportionate use of force, describing the incidents as executions rather than assistance. This follows similar recent cases, such as the death of Gilberto in September 2024, where the Public Ministry rejected claims of self-defense and charged officers with homicide.