Tactical officers of the 31st Battalion and the Tijucas intelligence agency went to Major Gercino after a report that he would receive a new drug shipment.[1] When officers moved in, the driver sped away at high speed through the town centre toward Angelina.[1][2][3] The confrontation was recorded on the night of Tuesday 3 November on Rua Geral Coqueiros in the Garcia neighbourhood of Angelina.[1][4][3] He got out of the car carrying a black pistol and ran toward woodland, then shot at the officers.[1][2][4][3] Officers returned fire and he fell into a ditch beside the rural road.[1][4] Rescue was called but he died at the scene, after medical teams could not reach the difficult-access spot in time.[1][2][4][3] No police officer was injured.[1]

Beside him officers recovered a loaded Taurus G2C pistol in 9 mm calibre.[1][4] In the black Ford EcoSport he was driving, police found about 29 kg of cannabis.[1][2][4][3] The cannabis was in two styrofoam boxes packed the same way as those in a seizure made on 31 October.[1][2][4][3] His shot struck the front bumper of the patrol car and punctured its front tyre.[1][2][4][3]

The operation followed intelligence about a new drug consignment sent in styrofoam boxes through merchandise delivery services.[5][2][4][3] Police linked the load to the 31 October case, when about 45 kg of cannabis with a strong smell was found in styrofoam boxes in a parcel load allegedly sold and sent through Shopee orders.[1][4] He was known locally for trafficking and had prior records for drug trafficking, illegal weapon possession and carrying, gunfire and robbery.[1][4] Forensic officers attended the road and the vehicle was taken to the police station.[1][4]

The pursuit that began in Major Gercino and ended in Angelina took place on the SC-108.[4] Military police completed administrative records, including on the shots fired.[4][3]