11 killed in Brazilian 'massacre'

 11 killed in Brazilian bar

20 May 2019; DW: Gunmen have shot dead at least 11 people in a bar in Brazil. The incident occurred in the city of Belem, in the northern state of Para.

At least 11 people were killed in a "massacre" in Brazil's northern state of Para on Sunday, according to authorities.

Police told local media that seven gunmen arrived at a bar in three cars and on one motorcycle and opened fire. The perpetrators fled the scene. The incident took place in the region's largest city, Belem.

Natalia Mello, a Para state spokeswoman, would only confirm that a massacre had happened.

The deaths included six women and five men. One person was severely wounded.

National Guard troops were sent to Belem in March as a way of reinforcing security. Brazil's number of homicides in 2017 reached record levels, with 64,000 instances across the year. 

President Jair Bolsonaro recently signed a decree that relaxes laws on gun imports and allows people to carry more ammunition.