Emerson Royal thanks ‘angel’ off-duty police officer
BRAZIL – Tottenham defender Emerson Royal has thanked an off-duty police officer after surviving a gun fight outside a Brazil night club in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The 23-year-old left a nightclub in his home city of Sao Paulo at around 3am and was taking photos with an off-duty police officer when an individual pointed a gun at him and demanded his belongings. It is claimed the officer drew his gun and opened fire on the thief.
Twenty nine shots were reportedly fired at the assailant, one of which hit him in the back and meant he had to be taken to a nearby hospital. Royal has since taken to social media to show his gratitude to the officer.
RISKED HIS OWN LIFE
In a post on his Instagram story, Royal wrote: “God sends angels to Earth, this is being confirmed every day in my life. This human being I call an angel risked his own life to save mine... I will forever be grateful to you!!
“You are essential to me being here today!! Thank you, thank you and thank you. (This photo was moments before the event, where he said he was my fan and asked for a photo with me).”
According to delegate Robson Gonçalves de Oliveira, from the Judiciary Police Centre (CPJ), where the case was registered, an accomplice in the crime may have warned the robber about the player’s presence at the night club.
“Someone must have noticed that he was sporting valuables. This must have caught the attention of a scout. This scout must have warned the executor of the theft and he attended to carry out the robbery”, said the delegate.
The Spurs defender can be seen sporting an expensive watch and chains in the picture taken with the police officer - which officials saying that could be the reason that Royal was targeted.
Speaking to Globo Esporte, Royal’s father detailed the events of the night: “I was celebrating and on the way out, this whole affair happened, which was very bad. A horror scene indeed. I don’t wish that on anyone.
“He (the policeman) went, as usual, with Royal to the car and when he realised there was a robbery and the criminal was pointing the gun at Emerson, at the time the criminal got distracted, the policeman started to exchange shots with him.
“There were around five or six people with him. Each one went to a side running, dodging, because they didn’t know where the shots were coming from.”