A 15-year-old teenager was injured after being hit by a grenade on Friday night (29) in the Caixa D'Água community, between the Quitungo and Guaporé communities, in Brás de Pina, in the North Zone of Rio.
According to family members, the young man was in front of his house getting ready to go out for a snack with relatives when he was hit by the explosive. The family claims the grenade was launched by a drone flying over the area.
According to the teenager's mother, he saw the equipment before the explosion. The family suspects the boy was mistaken for a drug dealer because he was wearing a closed jacket with a hood.
The teenager suffered an open fracture in one leg and also sustained injuries to the other. He was rescued and taken to the Getúlio Vargas State Hospital in Penha, where he remains hospitalized in stable condition. According to family members, he will still need to undergo surgery.
The region is experiencing a week of clashes.
The Caixa D'Água community has been the scene of successive armed clashes in recent days amid a territorial dispute between drug traffickers from rival factions. The region lies between areas of influence of Comando Vermelho (CV) and Terceiro Comando Puro (TCP).
During the clashes that occurred this week, one man died.
In a statement, the Military Police reported that officers from the 16th BPM (Olaria) were called after the teenager was admitted to the hospital. According to the police, the young man himself reported being hit by an explosive launched from a drone while walking towards his home.
The case was initially registered at the 22nd Police Station (Penha) and will be investigated by the 38th Police Station (Brás de Pina).
Residents protest for peace.
This Saturday (30), residents held a protest in the community asking for an end to the violence in the region.
Holding signs, the protesters demanded measures to protect residents and denounced the risks faced by the population amidst the armed clashes. Among the messages displayed were phrases such as "Stop bombing our children" and "Let our children play in peace."
The demonstration took place less than 24 hours after the teenager was injured and brought together residents concerned about the escalating violence in the community.
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