On October 10, 2023, Priscilla Menezes, the mother of 13-year-old Thiago Menezes Flausino, testified during the trial of the police officers accused of murdering her son during a police operation in the Cidade de Deus neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. The case has garnered significant attention due to the age of the victim and the ongoing issues surrounding police violence in Brazil. The trial is being conducted at the Tribunal de Justiça do Rio de Janeiro, and as of the latest report, no verdict has been reached.

Thiago was shot and killed during a police action in 2023, an event that raises serious concerns about the conduct of law enforcement in Brazil, especially within marginalized communities. Two military police officers from the Batalhão de Choque face serious charges including homicide and procedural fraud. The presence of witnesses from both the prosecution and defense indicates a contentious trial, with evidence likely to play a crucial role in the outcome, particularly the testimony of Marcos Vinícius, a survivor who was with Thiago at the time of the shooting.

Priscilla Menezes expressed shock during her testimony when she learned that forensic investigators found images of a minor holding a firearm on her son's phone. This revelation adds a complex layer to the case, touching on the themes of youth involvement in crime and the community dynamics in Ciudad de Deus, an area frequently plagued by violence. The trial not only addresses the immediate circumstances of Thiago’s death but also highlights broader societal issues related to police tactics and the safety of children in vulnerable neighborhoods.