Brazilian policeman shot in the head on Rio Olympics duty
A Brazilian policeman has died after being shot in the head when he and two other officers working security at the Rio Olympics got lost near a slum and encountered gunfire.
Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes confirmed the death of Helio Vieira on his official Facebook page early today.
Ministro da Justiça publica em seu perfil no Facebook a morte do Sd.Hélio Vieira, da Força Nacional, atacado no Rio. pic.twitter.com/mujgB5OE9W
— Rádio BandNews FM (@radiobandnewsfm) August 12, 2016
The officers from Brazil's national security force were using a GPS device to navigate unfamiliar streets on Wednesday afternoon when they took a wrong turn off a highway leading to Rio's international airport.
Their truck was sprayed with bullets, shattering the windows.
Mr Vieira died late last night. The other officers suffered minor injuries.
More than 85,000 security forces have been deployed in Rio for the Olympics, which is double the number of London in 2012.
