A few years ago the national press had a field day reporting that Philadelphia Eagles fans had snow balled Santa Claus. Well the folks in Rio sure topped that
From Inside Costa Rica Tuesday Dec. 18, 2007
" Helicopter Carrying Santa Claus Targeted By Rio's Drug Gangs
RIO DE JANEIRO - A helicopter transporting a man wearing a Santa Claus costume was shot by drug trafficking gangs in Rio, the local press reported on Monday.
No one was injured in the attack. However, two bullets damaged the aircraft's oil reservoir and transmission.
The pilot landed safely in the Complexo da Mare, a group of favelas in Rio's north zone, where a local community center had prepared a Christmas party for Ch*ldren.
The helicopter belonged to a private company, and had left the Recreio dos Bandeirantes district, in the west zone, especially to take "Santa Claus" to the party, where he was supposed to deliver presents to the K*ds. While it was flying over the favela Vila do Joao, it was targeted by members of the gang that rules the traffic of drugs in the community.
According to Rio's State Police, the drug dealers are fighting to take over a neighboring favela dominated by another gang, where the Christmas party was about to take place."