A woman underwent five hours of reconstructive surgery and ended up blind after being hit in the face by a stray bullet fired by police who were chasing after a suspected drug trafficker.
Pictures show injured Daiane Cristina, 34, who underwent the five-hour face op and was informed by doctors that she had lost her sight on Tuesday, 12th December.
Daiane was hit by a stray bullet while overseeing a bar belonging to her sister, Cintia Santos, 38, on Rua Dona Eloa do Valle Quadros, in the district of Cidade Tiradentes, in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo while Cintia was out shopping at around 8 pm on Wednesday, 6th December.
The state’s Public Security Secretariat (SSP) said in a statement: “Police officers were on patrol on Rua Dona Eloa do Valle Quadros when they saw a suspect trafficking drugs.
“Upon noticing the police approach, the man fled.”
They added: “During the action, a police officer’s firearm accidentally discharged, hitting a woman, who was immediately rescued and taken to hospital.”
Cintia said that her sister had been sitting on a sofa watching TikTok when she was hit by the bullet.
She said: “A Military Police vehicle passed by, the police officers got out with their weapons drawn and shot her.”
Cintia added that the shot was not accidental and that they fired at her intentionally.
She said: “The shot was aimed directly at her. My sister only had time to hear the noise. I want justice.
“This cannot be another case of a poor black woman who will be forgotten.”
The SSP statement said: “The police military’s weapon was seized, and forensic examinations were requested.
“The case is being investigated by the 54th DP as a firearm discharge and bodily injury.”
Cintia said: “The only thing Daiane can say is that God is in charge. He was the one who saved her life. She only praises God; she does not complain about anything.”
The investigation is ongoing.
