São Paulo: Police officer provisionally released after fatal shooting

During an operation in São Paulo, a military police officer shot dead a 32-year-old woman on October 15, 2026. According to police, she was carrying a knife and advanced toward officers. The incident occurred in the Pirituba district.

Ex-partner sought help from police officers

According to police, the relationship had ended about five months earlier. The woman is said not to have accepted the separation. Her ex-partner fled and asked ROCAM police officers who were nearby for help. Residents and his mother also reported a woman with a knife who was threatening people.

According to Metrópoles, the ex-partner told the civil police that the woman had come to kill him. She is said to have slapped one of his employees beforehand.

Shot fired after repeated orders

According to police, the officers repeatedly ordered the woman to drop the knife: "Larga a faca!" She replied "Não largo" ("I won't drop it") and kept advancing toward the officers. One officer fired. According to Metrópoles, she was hit by a single shot. The woman died at the scene.

Police spoke of a possible mental health crisis, a so-called "surto." According to CNN Brasil, an aunt of the woman did not cite any psychiatric diagnosis.

Civil police consider operation disproportionate

The civil police criticize the use of lethal force as disproportionate. According to CNN Brasil, they found that the means used were neither necessary nor measured. They also rejected the self-defense theory.

According to G1, lead investigator João Pedro Murgolo assessed the shot as disproportionate. He said no attacking movement had been discernible at the moment the shot was fired.

Judge grants provisional release with conditions

Military police officer André C. had been arrested for homicide after the shooting, according to Metrópoles. On October 16, Judge Lucas Bannwart Pereira granted him provisional release with conditions, according to G1. The investigation is ongoing.

Woman's previous police records

According to preliminary information, there were previous police records for threats, assault and domestic violence. The woman was in some cases the perpetrator and in others the victim. She leaves behind two young daughters.