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Gunman Attempting To Rob Families Outside School Is Shot By Waiting Mum

Gunman Attempting To Rob Families Outside School Is Shot By Waiting Mum

Off-duty police officer Katia da Silva Sastre rounded on the gunman, who has been identified as 21-year-old Elivelton Neves Moreira

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

A gunman who was attempting to rob young children and families outside a school was shot by one of the waiting mums - who turned out to be an off-duty armed police officer.

The man, who has been identified as 21-year-old Elivelton Neves Moreira, lunged towards the crowd with a gun outside a private school in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

CCTV shows the congregation, consisting of mainly children and women, beginning to flee before military police officer, Katia da Silva Sastre, 42, pulls out her own weapon and fires three shots.

WARNING: CONTAINS GRAPHIC SCENES WHICH SOME MAY FIND DISTRESSING

The footage shows Moreira falling backwards, rolling around and holding his chest as officer Sastre kicks his gun away from him before pushing him on to his front with her foot.

The incident happened on Saturday morning with Moreira later dying in hospital from his injuries.

Officer Sastre was honoured in a ceremony by Sao Paulo Governor Márcio França on Sunday despite the 'regrettable outcome' and is being hailed a hero for her act of bravery, reports the MailOnline.

Writing on Twitter, Governor França said: "I went earlier to the 4th BAEP in the east of Sao Paulo to honor a very special mother: Corporal Katia Sastre. Her courage and precision saved mothers and children, yesterday at the door of a school."


As a thank you, officer Sastre was presented with a purple orchid plant at her police station.

The incident happened on Saturday in Suzano, Sao Paulo, during an event to mark Mother's Day in the USA.

The officer, who had gone to the event with her seven-year-old daughter, told colleagues: "I didn't know if he was going to shoot the kids or the mothers or the security guard at the school door."

According to the Mirror, the mum of two has served as cop for 20 years. She said: "I had to act quickly to end his aggression and prevent him from harming anyone.

CCTV Ferreira Master/FocusOn News

"I reverted to the training I have received in the corporation. It's gratifying to have been in the right place to have saved all our lives."

Husband of officer Sastre, military police lieutenant André Alves said to Folha de Sao Paulo: "The suspect's gun fired once, but it is not known whether or not it was before Katia fired.

"The first shot ricocheted and got lost. On his second attempt at firing, the weapon locked.

CCTV Ferreira Master/FocusOn News

"Thankfully she was faster than him, because when a thug discovers [their opponent] is a police officer, he shoots to kill."

A spokesman for the police force: "These criminals lose control easily.

"Katia didn't know if he was going to react by shooting at the children, the mums or the headteacher who was at the school entrance.

"She just thought about defending the parents, the children, herself and her daughter."

Featured Image Credit: CCTV Ferreira Master/FocusOn News

Topics: Police, World News, News, Brazil