Disturbing, But Unsurprising Video

The following video shows a young (14 year old) boy being shot by police in Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas in Brazil.

 

 

I am not certain if live ammo was used or if rubber bullets were used. Ultimately it doesn't matter. This is so wrong for so may reasons, but it is also happens far too often. This is also disturbing:

The boy's family and the person in charge of the security camera, as well as the first reporter to see the footage, initially held the video back because they feared retaliation if it was made public, prosecutors said.

Amazonas state prosecutor Joao Bosco Sa Valente said the officers would face charges of attempted homicide.

"I have been fighting organised crime for 30 years, but every time I see those images I feel indignation and disgust," the prosecutor told the Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo.

I'm glad to see the outrage, but I'm in the least optimistic that this will make for any long-term change. These incidents happen far too often and they don't just involve children. I'm hoping that those responsible face significant jail time as impunity, sadly, has been the rule and not the exception in these incidents.

Nevertheless, public outrage appears to be high - and that's a good sign.