RIO DE JANEIRO, October 17 (RIA Novosti) - Brazilian drug dealers shot dead the pilot of a police helicopter in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, causing it to crash to the ground and explode.
The helicopter was involved in a police operation at the time. One other person on board also died, and another two were hospitalized with serious burns.
Three drug dealers were killed by police forces early on Saturday.
Fighting is believed to have begun in a northern Rio favela when one group of drug dealers attempted to take over another's group's spot. Police were brought in to handle the situation.
