Violence consumes Rio de Janeiroâs biggest favela once a symbol of rising fortunes in Brazil
Samantha Almeida
RIO DE JANEIRO â High on a hill in South Americaâs largest slum   Samantha Almeida  startled at the latest volley of gunfire. It was close. Too close.  She  knew  she  had to get  her  girls moving.
Suddenly the bullets were buzzing just above the roof. The family members had started sleeping in one room because they felt safer together  and Samantha  a 33-year old who sold coffee in a park  had drilled  her  girls on an escape plan. When  she  gave the sign  they would move fast  keeping low  to a windowless  bunkerlike terrace.
Another shot rang out  and Samantha rose  telling the girls to follow   she  later recalled. Eight-year-old Natasha moved quickly. But Nicolly  her painfully shy 16-year-old  was still struggling to her feet when they heard the window crack.
âMama â  the girl  said before slumping. âIâve been shot.â
RIO DE JANEIRO â  [TGT] startled at the latest volley of gunfire. It was close. Too close.   [TGT]   knew   [TGT]   had to get   [TGT]   girls moving.
Suddenly the bullets were buzzing just above the roof. The family members had started sleeping in one room because they felt safer together  and Samantha  a 33-year old who sold coffee in a park  had drilled  her  girls on an escape plan. When  she  gave the sign  they would move fast  keeping low  to a windowless  bunkerlike terrace.
Another shot rang out  and Samantha rose  telling the girls to follow   she  later recalled. Eight-year-old Natasha moved quickly. But Nicolly  her painfully shy 16-year-old  was still struggling to her feet when they heard the window crack.
âMama â  the girl  said before slumping. âIâve been shot.â