Overview of the Case
According to the accusation brought forth today, which Lusa has obtained access to, Odair Moniz attempted to flee from the PSP (Public Security Police) and resisted detention. However, the Public Prosecutor’s Office does not describe any threats involving a knife. This information contradicts the official statement released by the PSP on the day of Odair Moniz’s death, which indicated that he “resisted arrest” and attempted to assault officers “using a knife.”
Investigation into Alleged Falsification
The Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) has initiated a separate investigation into the alleged falsification of the PSP’s report concerning the circumstances surrounding Odair Moniz’s death in Cova da Moura, Amadora, on October 21, 2024. The report mentions that a dagger measuring 25 centimeters in length, with a 15-centimeter blade and a plastic handle, was found “in the vicinity” of where Odair collapsed, near an abandoned vehicle. Notably, the dagger “did not have sufficient biological traces to obtain a DNA profile,” as stated in the document.
Details of the Incident
Odair Moniz was shot twice by a PSP officer who has since been charged with homicide. The first shot was fired from a distance of between 20 and 50 centimeters, hitting his torso. At that moment, Odair was still “standing,” but the officer fired a second shot from a distance of 75 centimeters to one meter, which struck him in the groin. After Odair fell to the ground, another officer, who is not facing charges, struck his body with a baton, causing it to roll and become immobilized. The autopsy revealed that his death was caused by the first bullet.
Prosecutor’s Findings
In the eyes of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the accused officer “knew that firing twice at close range would likely cause harm to Odair.” Despite this awareness, the officer intended to hit Odair with two bullets to incapacitate him. The prosecutor leading the investigation, Patrícia Agostinho, emphasized this intent in her remarks.
Context of the Encounter
The accusation also outlines the events leading up to the encounter between the PSP officers and Odair Moniz on the morning of October 21, 2024. The two officers were patrolling Avenida da República in Amadora when they spotted Odair exiting the Cova da Moura neighborhood via Rua Principal. As he turned right, Odair found himself facing the police vehicle but signaled to turn left. Upon noticing the police car, he accelerated and continued along Avenida da República, prompting the officers to initiate a pursuit that ultimately ended within Cova da Moura.
Legal Implications for the Officer
The Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that the PSP officer “did not do everything possible to preserve human life and resorted to the extreme measure of using a firearm against a person, accepting the possibility of Odair Moniz’s death.” The officer who fired the shots is facing charges of homicide, and the MP has requested a suspension of his duties as a precautionary measure, alongside an accessory penalty prohibiting him from performing his functions.
Further Investigations and Questions
The MP has also sought to extract documents for an independent investigation into the alleged falsification of the PSP’s report, citing “inconsistencies and inaccuracies” regarding its authorship and the timing of its creation. The unfolding events raise significant questions about police conduct and accountability in this tragic case.
