In a violent encounter early Friday morning in Ibiapina, Ceará, a gun battle erupted between law enforcement and five suspected criminals, leading to the deaths of three individuals. The confrontation began when a police team attempted to stop a vehicle containing the suspects, who responded with gunfire. Despite being transported to a local hospital, the three shot suspects could not survive their injuries. Meanwhile, two accomplices managed to escape into the surrounding forest, prompting an ongoing manhunt by police.

The suspects were members of a criminal faction known as TCP (Terceiro Comando Puro), which has a notorious reputation for orchestrating various criminal activities, including thefts, robberies, and murders across the northeastern cities of Ibiapina, São Benedito, and Ubajara. The police operation was conducted by the Military Police's specialized units, which have been actively combatting organized crime in the region. Their patrol strategy aims to disrupt planned offenses and maintain public safety against escalating violence.

As the police continue their search for the two fleeing suspects, authorities have also heightened efforts to dismantle organized crime networks in Ceará. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement as they confront well-coordinated criminal factions that threaten community safety. The outcome of this confrontation and the subsequent investigation will likely inform future police tactics in addressing gang-related violence within the region.