Attack that killed a pregnant woman and child in MA resulted in the arrest of 12 people; five died in operations

Police kill five suspects in attack in São João Batista The State Secretariat for Public Security of Maranhão (SSP-MA) reported that, as of this Wednesday (15), 12 people had been arrested on suspicion of participation in the attack that killed a pregnant woman and her 4-year-old son in São João Batista (MA). The Civil Police continue to investigate the case. ? Click here and subscribe to the g1 Maranhão channel on WhatsApp Investigations by the Civil Police of Maranhão indicate that the attack was motivated by the change of criminal faction by the victim's partner and father of the child, Josef Abreu Santos. The prisoners are: Gabriel Vieira Trindade, known as "Miau"; Gilmarlisson Santos Duarte, known as "Pelado" or "Gil"; Joseandro Santos Pereira, known as "Andinho"; Luan dos Anjos Santos, known as "Balotelli"; Rhuan Carlos Campos Silva, known as "Ruan"; Paulo Ricardo Serra Lindoso, known as "Gordo"; Erinaldo Santos Pereira, known as "Garoto"; Thadeu Vinicius Aguiar dos Santos, known as “Tadeu”; Victor Gabriel Costa Cardoso, known as "Vitinho"; Anderson Mendes Cutrim, known as "Nandinho"; Mateus Costa Pinheiro; Isaac Jorge Aroucha Mendonça. Of the suspects arrested, five died during Civil Police operations. They are Joelson Braga Araújo, known as "Macaco"; David João Gaspar Penha, known as "Mucurão"; João Henrique Lindoso Silva, known as “João Preto”; Daniel Braga Araújo, known as “Jogador 22” or “Bonitão”; and Roberdan Fonseca Gomes. Also according to the SSP-MA, the Official Expertise completed identification examinations of the victims through the Institute of Forensic Genetics, which allowed the Legal Medical Institute (IML) to release the bodies to their families. Attack is related to a change of factions, says police Investigations by the Civil Police of Maranhão indicate that the attack was motivated by a change of criminal faction on the part of the victim's partner and father of the child, Josef Abreu Santos. According to delegate Ederson Martins, Operations Coordinator at the State Secretariat for Public Security (SSP-MA), there is evidence that Josef left the faction he was part of and joined another criminal group, or left the organization without authorization. The change would have motivated the attack that resulted in the death of Samira Costa Correia and Yan Kaleb Costa Santos, aged 4. According to the police, Josef Abreu Santos was the criminals' main target. He was interviewed by the Civil Police. "The victim's husband was part of the faction that carried out the attack and had allegedly changed sides or left the organization without the members' authorization. They went to the location to demand and avenge his departure and that of another person who lived in the village. As they could not find him at the residence, they attacked the family members who were there at the time," said the delegate. Others involved have already been identified and continue to be sought by security forces. The names were not disclosed to avoid compromising the investigations. The searches include teams from the Civil Police, Military Police, Official Forensics, Air Tactical Center (CTA), Kennel and intelligence sectors. READ ALSO: Police have already identified suspects in attack that killed pregnant woman and child in MA, says police chief Suspect involved in attack that killed pregnant woman and child dies in confrontation with police in MA INVESTIGATION: SSP names partner as main target of attack that killed pregnant woman and child Joelson Braga Araujo (left) and David João Gaspar Penha (right) are suspected of participating in attack that killed pregnant woman and child Reproduction/Montage g1 Investigation The case is investigated as a double homicide. According to the SSP-MA, the elements gathered so far indicate that the crime is related to a dispute between criminal factions. According to the SSP, Josef Abreu Santos, companion of Samira Costa Correia and father of Yan Kaleb Costa Santos, aged 4, is identified by the investigation as the main target of the attack. He was interviewed by the police authority. The secretariat did not say in what condition Josef gave his statement or disclose other details, so as not to compromise the progress of the investigations. Family members said he had been seen in the house shortly before the attack. Attack reportedly involved around 15 men. The victims were found charred inside a burned-out house on Friday (10). According to police, armed men invaded the property, fired several shots and set fire to the place. Witnesses reported that approximately 15 men participated in the attack. The Military Police found around 100 cases of ammunition already fired at the scene. There were materials of 9 millimeter, .38, .40 and 12 calibers. Forensic examination finds out how the victims died The victims were identified as Samira Costa Correia and Yan Kaleb Costa Santos Reproduction/Social Media The forensic examinations should clarify the dynamics of the attack and determine whether Samira and Yan died as a result of the shots or the fire. Due to the conditions in which the bodies were found, the release by the Forensic Medical Institute (IML) was conditioned on the performance of a DNA test with material collected from a first-degree relative. According to SSP-MA, the exam has already been carried out. The secretariat did not say when the bodies will be released. Investigations and searches for the others involved continue in the region. The SSP-MA stated that other information will not be released at this time to preserve the progress of the search.