Thamires Rodrigues de Souza Peixoto was expected to attend a Mother’s Day celebration at her children’s school before she was shot dead on May 7
Credit: Facebook
NEED TO KNOW
- A mother-of-two was fatally shot in a ride-share vehicle days before her daughter’s birthday
- The victim has been identified as 28-year-old Thamires Rodrigues de Souza Peixoto
- She was also expected to attend a Mother’s Day celebration at her children’s school before her death
A mother-of-two was fatally shot in a ride-share vehicle days before her young daughter’s birthday.
Thamires Rodrigues de Souza Peixoto, 28, was sitting passenger in a ride-share vehicle when she was shot in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Thursday, May 7, according to a statement from the Military Police of Rio de Janeiro State.
The ride-share driver told police that the occupant of another vehicle fired a gun at the car and hit the woman before fleeing the scene.
Credit: Facebook
Peixoto was transported to a nearby hospital in Cidade de Deus. She did not survive her injuries, per CNN Brazil.
Brazilian outlet G1 reported that Peixoto’s funeral services were held on Saturday, May 9 — the same day her youngest daughter turned four years old.
The day prior, Peixoto was expected to attend a Mother’s Day celebration at her children's school. The event was postponed in lieu of the tragedy.
“It is with deep regret that we inform you that our school received the sad news today of the passing of the mother of two of our students," Colégio Interativo GPI said in a statement obtained by Brazilian newspaper O Globo.
"In this moment of grief and out of respect for the family, we believe the most sensitive and appropriate course of action is to postpone our Mother's Day celebration,” the statement continued.
According to G1, police officer Frede Uilson Souza de Jesus was identified as the alleged shooter and was arrested on Friday, May 8. He has been removed from his professional duties, and an internal investigation has begun.
CNN Brazil reported that the ride-share driver had a disagreement with another driver, which prompted the police officer to allegedly fire at the ride-share driver's vehicle.
The bullet went through the rear window, hitting Peixoto in the back, the outlet said.
Credit: Alamy
Security footage captured the black ride-share vehicle on the road when a white vehicle, identified by investigators as belonging to the police officer, approached.
The Homicide Police Department later identified the suspected shooter and requested a temporary arrest warrant. de Jesus then voluntarily presented himself at a police station, according to CNN Brazil.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The outlet, citing sources connected to the case, said the officer had previously been arrested for falsifying documents.
Peixoto is survived by her husband and two daughters.
Read the full article here
