The Civil Police of Brazil have moved to identify and apprehend three men suspected of murdering 8-year-old Valentina Santos in a tragic incident that occurred during an attempted robbery. The incident took place in Nova Iguaçu, where Valentina was shot in the head as she returned home with her father. The authorities, led by delegate Felipe Curi, have confirmed via social media that the suspects have previous criminal records but were released prior to this incident.

On February 11, Valentina was shot while arriving at her home, with dramatic footage obtained by TV Globo depicting her father’s frantic reaction following the shooting. The police have indicated that the suspects were involved in a coordinated attack, aligning their vehicle alongside Valentina's family car before firing shots. This violent crime has drawn significant public attention and sparked outrage over issues related to public safety and gun violence in Brazil.

The identification and arrest request reflect broader concerns regarding the efficacy of law enforcement in preventing violent crime, especially with perpetrators having prior offenses. As the investigation progresses, the community is left grappling with the tragic loss of a young girl and the ongoing threat of street violence, raising questions about the adequacy of current measures in place to protect civilians from such acts of crime.