Operations against those involved in an attack in São João Batista arrest 15 people The State Secretariat for Public Security (SSP) reported that 15 people were arrested and eight died in clashes with the police during an operation related to the attack that killed members of the same family in São João Batista, 291 km from São Luís. The data was presented at a press conference held this Wednesday afternoon (22). According to the SSP, at least 20 people are identified as being involved in the crime. Among the victims were a pregnant woman and her son. The baby she was expecting also died. The bodies were found charred after the attack, attributed by the police to members of the criminal faction Comando Vermelho. ? Click here and subscribe to the g1 Maranhão channel on WhatsApp According to the Public Security Secretariat, those investigated could be charged with double homicide, abortion and participation in a criminal organization. The police carried out five operations related to the case. The police investigation remains ongoing. Motivation for the attack According to the police, the victims were at home when members of the Red Command arrived at the scene looking for the woman's husband. The investigation indicates that he had joined the criminal faction and moved to another group. The main suspicion is that the attack was motivated by revenge. The man was not at home at the time of the crime. As it was not found, the criminals would have attacked family members who were in the property. The bodies were found charred. An examination was carried out to identify whether the victims died during the fire or whether they were already dead when the house was set on fire. The victim's husband collaborated with the investigation The Public Security Secretariat reported that the victim's husband collaborated with the investigations and was now treated as a witness. According to the agency, he helped identify suspects who were arrested and could be included in the state witness protection program. An SSP representative stated that the main line of investigation considers the attack to be revenge related to the man's alleged change of faction. According to the secretariat, he denies having been part of the criminal group. Police operations The Public Security Secretariat stated that the operations are a State response to crimes attributed to criminal factions in Maranhão. The SSP also reported that it maintains contact with the victims' relatives, including the mother and an aunt, to provide information on the progress of the investigations. The agency also stated that it is following the family after the crime.