Minister of Defense says stray bullet came from a slum

By Associated Press 08 August 2016, 12:00AM

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The bullet which flew through the roof of a media tent at the Olympic Equestrian Center on Saturday came from a nearby slum, according to a Brazilian official.

During the lunch break of the first day of the eventing competition, a large bullet pierced the roof of the tent and landed on the floor. The competition was not disrupted and nobody was hurt.

"According to the security forces the bullet came from a community far from here," organizing committee spokesman Mario Andrada said on Sunday as investigations continued. "They were aiming at the police blimp which carried cameras.

"The same source, which is the Minister of Defense, says the first findings showed that the bullet arrived ... with low energy and low speed."

Security forces would not say if they are close to an arrest but are looking at footage from cameras on the blimp.

The bullet landed close to one of the media tables at the end of the room where news conferences are held, leaving a clear hole in the roof.

"Security forces have obviously increased their levels of readiness and security in areas nearby and more specifically in the areas close to where this bullet has been shot from," Andrada added.

"The Minister has reiterated that the target was the police blimp and confirms that this area was never the target, the Olympic games were never the target."

In the arena, Britain's William Fox-Pitt remained in the lead after the dressage phase of the eventing competition, just 10 months after being put into an induced coma following a fall.

Fox-Pitt, who only returned to competitive action in early April, rode Chilli Morning to a score of 37 on Saturday and no-one could top that when the second group of riders competed Sunday.

Christopher Burton of Australia and Santano II remain second, 0.6 penalties behind the Briton.

Mathieu Lemoine rode Bart L into third place with 39.2 penalties, replacing Olympic individual champion Michael Jung who slipped to fifth on 40.9 after German teammate Ingrid Klimke scored 39.5.

Germany, which is bidding for a third straight Olympic title, still leads the team competition, with France moving from fourth to second and Australia falling to third.

By Associated Press 08 August 2016, 12:00AM
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