The Public Security Police (PSP) officer who, in the early hours of April 1, 2024, shot and killed a robber in the chest after being lured into a sexual trap, was sentenced to 14 years in prison by the Criminal Central Court of Lisbon.
The court favored the testimony of the deceased’s girlfriend over the statements made by the officer, a member of the PSP’s Personal Security Corps.
The 50-year-old officer admitted to shooting the robber but claimed it was in self-defense. He stated that the man and his girlfriend had robbed him at gunpoint at a traffic light near the National Stadium. Without his wallet or phone, he was forced to take them to his residential building in Benfica, which is occupied solely by police officers.
At that moment, the PSP officer managed to access his service weapon. In court, he stated that he shouted “police” before shooting the assailant, who had a pistol tucked in his waistband but never drew it. It is now understood that the weapon was an airsoft replica.
The deceased’s girlfriend claimed that the officer drove to the area, known for sexual encounters, and stopped next to their vehicle.
The couple asked if he wanted “a good time,” to which he responded affirmatively. Upon entering the car, the officer was threatened with a weapon to his abdomen.
According to the woman, “he was indeed forced to drive the robbers to his home.” After handing over his wallet containing some money and his phone, he fired a shot.
The court believes this action was committed “without any necessity” since the robber made no movement to grab the weapon. The judges argue the officer could have used immobilization techniques he is trained in or aimed for a non-lethal area.
The magistrates contend that the officer acted to cover up the intended sexual encounter that ended in homicide.
Based on these findings, the officer was sentenced to 14 years in prison and ordered to pay 40,000 euros to the victim’s minor child, ruling out self-defense.
The officer awaited trial while free, but the court now mandates that he be taken to a correctional facility to serve his sentence.
The panel of judges, led by Margarida Natário, criticizes the work of the Judicial Police (PJ) team that investigated the case and is also critical of the PSP officers who testified in favor of their colleague.
