Rio Civil Police helicopter copilot Felipe Marques Monteiro, 45, died Sunday (17) after being shot in the head during an operation in Vila Aliança, Bangu (West Zone of Rio), in March 2025. Monteiro had been hospitalized for 14 months after being hit by gunfire while participating in Operation Torniquete, according to his family's social media announcement. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Morreu neste domingo (17), o copiloto do helicóptero da Polícia Civil do Rio de Janeiro, Felipe Marques Monteiro, que foi baleado na cabeça durante uma operação na Vila Aliança, em Bangu, na Zona Oeste da capital fluminense, em março de 2025"
The copilot was rushed in critical condition to Miguel Couto Hospital in Gávea after the CORE helicopter made an emergency landing on a Bangu soccer field, according to Rio's official government channel. He was discharged in December 2025 after nine months of hospitalization, but was readmitted in January due to infection. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"O copiloto do helicóptero da Core, Felipe Marques Monteiro, de 45 anos, foi levado na aeronave para o heliporto da Lagoa e, de lá, seguiu para o Hospital Miguel Couto, na Gávea. De acordo com a Secretaria Municipal de Saúde, o estado dele é gravíssimo"
"O pouso do helicóptero da Polícia Civil foi feito no campo de futebol do Bangu. O socorro para Felipe foi solicitado pela Core"
Monteiro's death highlights a pattern of police aircraft fatalities during operations in Rio. In 2009, three military police officers died when their helicopter was shot down by drug traffickers on Morro São João hill. In 2016, four MPs died in a GAM helicopter crash during an operation in Cidade de Deus, according to O Globo. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Em 17 de outubro de 2009, um helicóptero da Polícia Militar foi abatido enquanto sobrevoava o Morro São João, no Engenho Novo, Zona Norte do Rio. A aeronave foi alvejada por pelo menos oito disparos de traficantes. Três dos seis policiais que tripulavam o veículo morreram na queda"
"Em 19 de novembro de 2016, um helicóptero do Grupamento Aeromóvel da Polícia Militar (GAM) caiu durante operação contra o tráfico de drogas na Cidade de Deus, na Zona Oeste do Rio. Quatro policiais militares morreram na queda"
The State Government mourned the death and acknowledged that Monteiro "was injured when the helicopter he was co-piloting was targeted by criminals with rifles" during Operation Torniquete, which aimed to combat a van robbery gang in the West Zone. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"foi ferido em março de 2025, durante uma operação da Polícia Civil na Vila Aliança, quando o helicóptero em que atuava como copiloto foi alvo de disparos de criminosos com fuzis"
Felipe Marques Monteiro was shot in the head during Operation Torniquete in March 2025 and died on May 17, 2026
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (1)
Felipe underwent cranial prosthesis surgery in April 2026
Conflicting versions (1)
Felipe Marques Monteiro's function in the aircraft
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Which authority is investigating the circumstances of Felipe Monteiro's injury?
Why it's still unknown: No source mentions if there is a formal investigation into the incident that resulted in the fatal injury, nor which body would be responsible for the investigation
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What security protocols were in place for CORE flights during high-risk operations?
Why it's still unknown: Sources do not detail whether specific protocols existed or were followed during Operation Torniquete
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How many suspects were arrested in Operation Torniquete and if anyone was held responsible for the shooting?
Why it's still unknown: Reports mention the operation's objective but do not inform concrete results or investigation of those responsible for the shots