Andrade, cameraman for the television network Bandeirantes, was filming a confrontation in Rio de Janeiro between police officers and demonstrators protesting a public transportation fare hike when a flare hit him in the head, according to news reports. He underwent surgery at a local hospital and was in a coma for four days before being declared brain dead.
Initial reports conflicted as to who was responsible for the attack, but authorities released video footage that appeared to show protesters launching the device. Authorities also alleged that the protesters had meant to target police officers, not the journalist, the reports said.
On February 8, 2014, Fábio Raposo told authorities that he had given the explosive device to another protester but had not ignited it himself, according to news reports. Two days later, authorities said they had identified the protester believed responsible for shooting the device.
On February 12, the suspect, Caio Silva de Souza, was in custody. Souza said he did not realize at the time that the flare was an explosive device, according to news reports. Raposo and Souza were placed in preventive detention and charged with homicide.
In June 2023, the trial of the two defendants was set for December 12 of that year. They remained free under precautionary measures, including wearing monitored ankle bracelets, until the final judgement in the case. They face charges of aggravated homicide and using explosives, according to news reports.