Brazilian soldiers opened fire on a family driving to a baby shower in Rio de Janeiro, riddling their vehicle with more than 80 bullets and killing one of the occupants, reports said Monday.
Ten army personnel have been arrested over Sunday's incident, which also wounded two others, on suspicion of "failure to comply with rules of engagement," the military said in a statement.
The soldiers patrolling the northern district of Guadalupe apparently mistook the white car as belonging to criminals, G1 reported, citing police.
Five people were inside the vehicle, including a seven-year-old boy, who was unhurt.
The soliders had been on the look-out for a car-load of criminals during a regular patrol of the area secured by the military, the military statement said.
Police also have launched an investigation into the incident, homicide police spokesman Leonardo Salgado told G1.
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"Everything indicates that the military really confused the vehicle for a vehicle of robbers," Salgado said.
No weapons were found in the car, which belonged to "a normal family who ended up being victims of the military," he added.
"I don't see a legitimate defense for the number of shots." In its statement, the military said it was committed to "transparency and legal parameters imposed by the rule of law on the legitimate use of force by its members" and opposed "excesses or abuses that may be committed when carrying out their activities."