Medical student dies during police operation in Vila Mariana

A medical student identified as Marco Aurélio Cárdenas Acosta, 22, died this Wednesday, November 20, after being shot during a police operation in Vila Mariana, in the southern area of ​​São Paulo. The events occurred on the stairs of a hotel located on Rua Cubatão, where the young man was staying. A security camera captured the moment of the event, which has generated great indignation and questions about the use of force by the authorities.

According to the police report, Marco Aurélio allegedly hit the rearview mirror of a police vehicle and then entered the hotel in an apparent attempt to escape.

The images show the student being chased by officers Guilherme Augusto Macedo and Bruno Carvalho do Prado. One of them tried to grab him by the arm while the other kicked him. During the struggle, police officer Guilherme shot the young man, who was unarmed, at point-blank range.

The student was taken to the Ipiranga Hospital, where he suffered two cardiac arrests and underwent emergency surgery. However, he died at 6:40 a.m.

Marco Aurélio's father, Julio César Acosta Navarro, a renowned cardiologist, demanded explanations from the authorities, as did the young man's mother, who described the action as unjustifiable and questioned the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas. Both described their son as a dedicated young man, a medical student at Anhembi Morumbi University, who lived with his parents and two siblings.

The Public Security Secretariat (SSP) reported that the officers involved were removed from their duties while the investigations, which are being conducted by the Homicide and Personal Protection Department (DHPP), advance. In addition, the images from the police officers' body cameras will be incorporated into the file, although they were not activated during the operation.

The Military Police Ombudsman described the action as an excessive use of force and a reflection of structural problems within the law enforcement forces. For its part, the weapon used by the officer has been seized for expert analysis.

This case has revived the debate on police conduct in Brazil, with calls for a reform in the procedures of the security forces.