Rio de Janeiro: A Russian diplomat reportedly tackled and killed a would-be robber near Rio’s Olympic Park on Thursday morning local time.
The 60-year-old, named by in some media reports as Marcos Cesar Feres Braga, was stuck in traffic at the Avenida das Americas in Barra da Tijuca, when a robber approached the car by motorbike.
In a statement to Fairfax Media, Rio Civil Police said the Homicide Squad confirmed the lawyer, who holds a vice-consul post in the Russian Consulate, then wrestled with the assailant and during the fight, the assailant’s gun went off killing him.
The local Extra newspaper, however, reported the diplomat used his jiu-jitsu skills to grab the attacker, pull him into the car, take his gun and shoot.
An accomplice on a second motorcycle fled, Extra said.
Traffic robberies are common in Brazil and motorists are advised to keep their windows closed and doors locked. They are advised to not react or resist.
It has been reported the attacker broke the car window to gain access.
The incident happened about midday as the diplomat was waiting for traffic to start moving again after the Olympic torch had passed by on Avenida das Americas, an access road to the Barra Olympic precinct.The news broke after the consulate closed for the day.
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