Child shot dead in Rio car chase

Brazilian police have shot dead a three-year-old boy after apparently mistaking the car he was travelling in for a vehicle carrying armed suspects.

Two officers in Rio de Janeiro fired at least 15 times at the car, hitting the boy, Joao Roberto Amaral, in the head. He died later in hospital.

His mother was hit by shrapnel while his nine-month-old brother was unhurt.

"There are no excuses for such a tragedy," Rio's security chief said, announcing an investigation.

"This was a disastrous incident," said Jose Mariano Beltrame, the secretary of security in Rio de Janeiro state.

"As a father and a police officer, I am ashamed at what happened," he said, adding that the police displayed a total lack of "preparation and discernment".

The circumstances of Joao Roberto's death have still to be clarified.

Initially, the officers said the car being driven by Alessandra Amaral was caught as they exchanged fire with the suspects they were chasing.

However, witnesses said it looked as if the police had confused her vehicle with that of the suspects.