Three doctors fatally shot and one wounded at a Rio beach, and the motive remains unclear

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Gunmen killed three doctors and wounded a fourth in a gangland-style hit while the men were at a beachside eatery early Thursday in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.

The fact that one victim was the brother of a federal lawmaker led to immediate speculation — including from Brazil’s justice minister — that it may have been a politically motivated assassination. However, a report from television network Globo later Thursday said authorities’ main line of investigation is that the hit was a case of mistaken identity, with one of the targets confused for the son of a local militia group.

Security camera footage obtained by local newspaper O Globo showed a group of black-clad gunmen emerging from a car and running up to the victims’ beachside table in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood and opening fire before making their escape. The entire incident lasted less than 30 seconds.

Source: AP