Stray bullet kills boy in Rio classroom during clash between police, drug traffickers

Rio schoolboy killed by stray bullet from shootout

SAO PAULO — Brazilian officials say an 11-year-old boy in a school classroom has been killed by a stray bullet from a shootout between police and suspected drug gang members.

A Rio de Janeiro police spokeswoman says the child was hit in the chest and died shortly after arriving at a hospital. It is not clear who fired the bullet.

The spokeswoman declined to be quoted by name in line with police regulations.

The school is next to the Quitanda and Pedreira slums, where Friday’s gunbattle took place.