The body of Helen Santos de Souza, four, was veiled and buried on Monday (14), in the cemetery of Santo Amaro, in the center of Recife. Family and friends wore shirts with the photo of the child, who was the youngest of five brothers. The mother, Elaine dos Santos, remained all the time beside the coffin.
Posters with requests for justice were taken by relatives. “She died on her birthday. My sister was doing the bags of the party of my niece. I just want justice. We will not stop. Even tomorrow (Tuesday) we will make a protest,” said Cassandra Santos, Helen’s aunt.
The family, which lives in the neighborhood of Água Fria, in the North Zone of Recife, is of humble origin. The crime occurred in the community itself. “I heard the shots and when I left Helen had already been rescued by a neighbor. I made a lot of effort to prepare the party the way she wanted. My daughter died the day she turned four,” said Elaine, her mother.
The funeral was marked by pain and revolt. On leaving the cemetery, residents and friends of Helen’s relatives closed an avenue in the North Zone of Recife and demanded the arrest of the suspects.
Helen was hit in her head last night (12), while she was with family members playing on the street. The mother prepared the details of her daughter at home’s birthday party when an intense shooting began in the area. The girl was still rescued and taken to the Restoration Hospital, but could not resist her injuries and died on Sunday (13).
CNN had access to videos showing the action of criminals in the community. The suspects appear armed, hooded and shooting in various directions, while residents hide desperate. In one of the recordings made by a resident, you can see part of the movement of criminals. Witnesses told police that four gunmen chased two rivals when they began to shoot.
So far, the suspects have not been found. The Pernambuco Civil Police continues to investigate the case, but has not yet disclosed new details about the findings.
This content was originally published in a girl killed by stray bullet is buried under strong commotion in Recife on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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