FAMILY TRAGEDY: Cop And Dad Of Two Killed By Gang Members After Wishing Son Happy 10th Birthday

A Military Police officer was fatally shot in the neck after messaging his son to say “I love you” on his 10th birthday.

Caio Cezar Lamas Cordeiro, 31, poses in undated photo. He was shot in the neck on duty during a shootout in Rio dejaneiro, Brazil, on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022. (Newsflash)

Caio Cezar Lamas Cordeiro, 31, was blasted in the neck during a shootout in Tirol favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday morning (11th December).

He and his colleagues had been called out to the area following reports of criminals gathering there.

When they arrived, the men were met by gunfire, and a shootout had ensued.

Caio was wounded in the arm and neck, and a criminal was also injured in the shootout.

They were taken to a hospital in the Barra da Tijuca neighbourhood, but both died of their injuries.

Caio was pronounced dead at 7.40am.

Caio Cezar Lamas Cordeiro, 31, poses in undated photo. He was shot in the neck on duty during a shootout in Rio dejaneiro, Brazil, on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022. (Newsflash)

The other deceased person was named in reports as Vitor Marcelo Correa de Souza. Local media said police seized a pistol from him.

At around 4am that morning, while on duty, he had commented on a Facebook post by his wife wishing their son a happy 10th birthday.

His comment read: “Happy birthday, my son. I love you.”

Caio, who was also the father of a girl, was a keen MMA fighter, competing under the name Gigante Lamas, and also practised Muay Thai.

He had joined the Military Police in October 2018.

Tirol favela is said to be under the control of the notorious Comando Vermelho criminal organisation.

Caio Cezar Lamas Cordeiro, 31, poses with his wife and kids in undated photo. He was shot in the neck on duty during a shootout in Rio dejaneiro, Brazil, on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022. (Newsflash)

An investigation into the events is underway.