Ronickson Pimentel dos Santos, lieutenant of Rondas Ostensivas Tobias de Aguiar (Rota) and brother of Eloá Cristina Pimentel, was the victim of a shooting attack on Avenida Goiás, in São Caetano do Sul, this Saturday (27). The military police officer was shot in the head by two individuals on a motorcycle, and his current condition remains unknown.
This incident brings back memories of one of the most high-profile criminal cases in the country, from 2008, when Eloá, aged 15, was held captive and killed by her ex-boyfriend Lindemberg Alves in Santo André. The family tragedy, still fresh in public memory, adds a layer of poignancy to the attack suffered by his older brother.
A security camera recording captured the moment Ronickson was shot. The footage reveals that the officer, uncharacterized and on his private motorcycle, had stopped at a traffic light. Within seconds, two men on another motorcycle approached, fired shots and fled the scene at high speed.
After the shots, the lieutenant was quickly rescued by the Águia helicopter, belonging to the Military Police. He was transported unconscious to Hospital Mário Covas, in Santo André, where he underwent an emergency surgical procedure.
Security images record the attack on the Rota police officer
Pimentel’s professional career in public security is marked by solid training. He joined the Military Police in 2009 as a soldier, after previous experience as a marine in the Brazilian Navy, between 2006 and 2009. In 2015, he rose to the rank of officer, completing training at the Barro Branco Military Police Academy.
With seven years dedicated to patrolling in the Tactical Force, the lieutenant has accumulated vast experience. In 2019, he joined the prestigious 1st Shock Police Battalion, known as Rondas Ostensivas Tobias de Aguiar (Rota).
During Lindemberg’s trial for Eloá’s death, Ronickson Pimentel testified for about an hour in the Jury Court, in Santo André. At the time, he described Lindemberg as “a monster”, directly confronting the defendant, who kept his head down. The police officer also recalled the aggressive behavior of his sister’s ex-boyfriend, citing frequent fights.
Official position of the Public Security Secretariat on the case
The Military Police, through the Public Security Secretariat, confirmed that teams were mobilized this Saturday morning (27) to respond to the occurrence of shots fired on Avenida Goiás, in São Caetano do Sul. At the scene, the police confirmed that a lieutenant from the corporation had suffered an attempted murder. He received first aid and was helped by the Águia helicopter. The case was sent to the São Caetano do Sul Headquarters Police Station and remains under investigation, with efforts to identify and locate those involved in the crime.