This graphic footage shows a five-year-old girl being shot in the face by a teen gunman hiding behind a pole as she slumps to the ground moments before her distraught family find her.

The footage shows the young girl, named as Ana Julia Pantoja by the news site G1, walking down a narrow street while eating a treat. She suddenly crumples to the ground as she is shot in the head.

Adults enter the scene and quickly become overwhelmed at the sight of the bleeding girl on the ground.

A woman who appears to be the victim’s mother cradles her before getting up with her in her arms and running out of shot.

The incident took place on the outskirts of Baixada do Ambrosio, near the city of Santana in the northern Brazilian state of Amapa.

The gunman, who was arrested this week, told the police that he did not mean to shoot the young girl and was aiming at a man. The suspected shooter has been named as Flavio Ferreira Teodosio, 18.

Police spokesperson Felipe Rodrigues said: “In a deposition, he said that the target was another man who we have already identified and whose statement we have taken. He said that he was the target and that, if he really hit the child, he will pay for it, those were his words.”

The officer added that the target was a witness to a robbery the shooter is also suspected of carrying out, and who he tried to kill once before about two months ago.

The murder weapon has not been located.

Ana Julia Pantoja was taken to hospital but did not survive, according to G1.

Amapa governor Waldez Goes said on Twitter: “The Civil Police has just arrested Flavio Ferreira Teodosio, suspected of murdering little Ana Julia Pantoja.

“He was captured less than 24 hours after the crime. I know nothing will bring Ana Julia back or ease the pain of her parents, family and the people of Amapa.

“But it is essential that the justice of men also fulfils its role. As a father and as a Christian, I know that God is taking care of little Ana Julia.”