Girl, 10, shot dead on her way to family birthday party after gunman opened fire on car

A girl has been shot d£ad in a car in front of her horrified dad on the way to a family birthday party in Brazil. 

Sophia Loren Soares Camilo, 10, was tragically k!lled when a gunman opened fire on the vehicle she was in on Saturday,  Jan. 31. 

The suspect was arrested shortly after the shocking attack in Baixada Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, on Saturday afternoon. 

Diogo and his daughter had been in a car on the way to Sophia’s cousin’s birthday party when the pair were approached by an armed man at around 5:30pm local time. 

The suspected gunman ordered Diogo to stop the vehicle before the dad put on his hazard warning lights and identified himself, the victim’s family claimed.

Seconds later, the man shot at least eight bullets into the car, k!lling Sophia in the harrowing assault. 

The tragic girl was sitting in the back of the vehicle, and was struck six times in the chest and leg, GloboNews reported.

Her dad was shot and sustained injuries but managed to survive – even driving Sophia to the hospital in the moments after the attack. 

The shooter tried to hide in a nearby area but was found by local cops shortly after, according to police. 

Authorities named the alleged gunman as Weverson Gomes da Silva. 

Heartbreaking tributes have been paid to the tragic youngster. 

Her uncle said: “Sophia was a sweet, kind girl who had dreams. She loved to hug. She was an exceptional girl. 

“She already talked to me about her dreams and plans, even though it was childish stuff.” 

He added: “This guy managed to destroy two families at the same time. He shattered the dream of a 10-year-old child and ruined the life of a father, not to mention the rest of the family.” 

Sophia’s cousin also made an emotional plea for justice following the devastating attack. 

“It’s very difficult. We’re even speechless. We just want justice because otherwise he’ll be back on the streets soon,” she said. 

“He destroyed two families. We are devastated. We just want justice and I hope that happens.” 

Sophia had just turned 10 on January 13, and was described by loved ones as a lively kid who loved school, playing with friends and spending time with family. 

The Homicide Division of Baixada Fluminense (DHBF) is probing the exact circumstances of the attack. 

Local cops confirmed shortly after the de@dly assault that a “criminal was arrested by officers from the 39th Battalion after shooting a man and his daughter in the Gogó da Ema community, in the Bom Pastor neighbourhood, in Belford Roxo”. 

They added that the weapon used in the assault had also been seized.