São Paulo's Public Ministry (MPSP), through Gaesp, opened a procedure on Monday (6) to probe the death of Thawanna da Silva Salmázio, 31, shot by a military police officer during an approach in Cidade Tiradentes, east side of the capital, in the early hours of April 3. Soldier Yasmin Cursino Ferreira, 21, fired at the housemaid, who lay on the asphalt for 45 minutes before aid arrived. Police and witness accounts differ on prior aggression.
Thawanna da Silva Salmázio and her husband, Luciano dos Santos, were walking hand in hand along Rua Edimundo Audran at 2:58 a.m. on April 3 when a Military Police vehicle passed by. Police records state Luciano bumped the side mirror, prompting the officers to return; they claim Thawanna argued heatedly and physically assaulted soldier Yasmin Cursino Ferreira.
Luciano stated a policewoman got out of the vehicle and shot toward his wife. Security camera audio captured the dispute: Thawanna said 'with all respect, but you [PM] hit us, I saw it,' followed by shouts and a gunshot. Witnesses and lawyer Viviane Leme, who viewed the driving PM's body cam footage, say Yasmin kicked Thawanna first; 33 seconds elapsed from the vehicle advancing to the shot. Yasmin wore no body cam.
The victim, mother of five, was hit in the chest and fell in the street. Residents said police blocked aid, one pointing a gun and threatening. She waited over 45 minutes for an ambulance. The Public Security Secretariat (SSP) removed Yasmin and another PM from duties, expressed regret for the death, and stated the case is under priority investigation with body cam footage attached to civil and military inquiries.
Gaesp of MPSP opened the procedure on Monday (6). Cidade Tiradentes residents protested the incident.
