Holly MatkinButanta, São Paulo BR – Security cameras captured the moment that a would-be robber made the mistake of targeting a lone, off-duty female police officer on a dark street in Brazil (video below).
The altercation took place just before midnight on Sunday, as the unnamed Military Police agent was walking by herself down a narrow roadway, the Daily Mail reported.
A vehicle suddenly drove into the camera’s view, lurching once as it passed by the plainclothes officer, the video showed.
The portly driver, later identified as 40-year-old Francisco Gonsalves dos Santos Junior, brought the vehicle to an abrupt stop, then jumped out and walked briskly across the street to intercept the petite officer.
But the officer appeared to be keenly aware of the potential threat, and took a step backwards at the last second.
She later told investigators that Santos Junior threatened her, and said he was armed, Amazonas reported.
The would-be robber turned sharply towards her, and rushed in her direction as she drew her weapon and backpedaled, the video showed.
As Santos Junior closed in, the officer opened fire, striking him at close range with a single round.
He immediately fell to the ground, then rolled around for a moment before lying on his back, the video showed.
Santos Junior was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene, O Globo reported.
The Homicide and Personal Protection Department is handling the ongoing investigation into the incident, which has been classified as an attempted robbery, Amazonas reported.
You can watch security footage of the officer’s encounter with the would-be robber in the video below. WARNING – Graphic Content: