Uncle accused of killing 9-year-old nephew while playing video game is released
19-year-old suspect in the shooting that killed the 9-year-old nephew leaves prison after court decision. He will have to wear an electronic ankle bracelet
The uncle of the boy Matheus Lourenço Barbosa, 9 years old, who died after being shot in the head while playing video games at home, in Guarapuava, in the central region of Paraná, was released by the Justice on Tuesday (22). The 19-year-old, identified as Anthony Gustavo Mueller Souza Lourenço, had been arrested in flagrante last Saturday, the day the shooting occurred.
The court decision granted provisional liberty to the investigating party, who must use an anklet. The Public Prosecutor's Office of Paraná (MP-PR) reported that the Justice considered the fact that Anthony was a primary defendant and remained at the place of the occurrence, among other circumstances. According to the decision, the necessary requirements for the decree of pre-trial detention were not present.
The case gained repercussions after the death of the boy, who was transferred to Hospital Universitário de Ponta Grossa, where he remained hospitalized in a serious state. The morte encefálica was confirmed on Monday (21), and the family authorized the donation of the child's organs.
Boy was shot while playing video game
The shooting took place on Saturday, inside the residence where Matheus was playing video games. According to information from the Military Police, the uncle said he was accompanied by friends and was handling a firearm when the gunfire hit his nephew’s head.
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The young man told the police that he was playing with the gun and that the shooting was accidental. After the incident, the father of the child gave first aid and activated the Emergency Mobile Service (Samu).
Matheus was referred to hospital care and subsequently transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Hospital Universitário de Ponta Grossa. Despite medical efforts, morte encefálica was confirmed two days later.
The weapon used in the shooting has not yet been found.
One of the points that continue to be investigated by the Civil Police is the whereabouts of the gun used in the shooting. According to the report presented to the Military Police, Anthony had dropped the gun on the ground after hitting his nephew. One of the friends who was at the scene would have picked up the object and fled.
The young man presented different versions about which of the colleagues would have carried the armament. A 16-year-old girl, who was also in the residence, was referred to the police station. According to the military police, she presented contradictions during the testimony.
During the approach, the police found a capsule of .32 caliber ammunition. The uncle reported that the gun was in an irregular situation. Until the publication of the information released by the G1, the weaponry had not been located.
The Civil Police reported that the young man was initially charged with attempted qualified murder and irregular possession of a firearm of permitted use. Investigations continue to clarify the circumstances of the shooting, locate the weapon and identify other people who may have participated in the concealment of the weapon.
Defense said the shooting was accidental.
In a statement, Anthony's defense lamented Matheus' death and said the young man assumed responsibility for what happened. The lawyers argue that the shooting was accidental and point out that Anthony helped the victim and has been collaborating with the investigations.
The granting of provisional liberty does not close the criminal proceedings. The case remains under investigation by the Civil Police.
