RIO DE JANEIRO — Rio de Janeiro's Civil Police confirmed that the Russian vice-consul in the city engaged in a physical fight with an armed, would-be robber in which the weapon fired and killed the assailant.
The attempted robbery happened as the diplomat's car was stuck in traffic along the main thoroughfare of the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood, where the majority of the events will take place during the Summer Olympics. Opening ceremonies are Friday.
Local media reported that the diplomat wrestled the weapon from the would-be assailant and shot him, though the police only confirmed that shots fired from the weapon during the physical fight that followed the robber approaching the vehicle.