Violence spills out of Rio slum near future Olympic venues, just ahead of World Cup

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Residents of a Rio de Janeiro slum are revolting over the death of a young man they blame on police.

The violence Tuesday night shut main streets and took place one block from Copacabana beach, where Olympic events will be held in 2016.

Residents showered glass bottles and homemade explosives down a busy road in Copacabana. About 200 protesters closed another main avenue as they fought with police.

Intense exchanges of rifle fire were heard from inside the slum. There was no word on injuries.

The unrest in one of Rio’s so-called “pacified” slums comes just weeks before Rio will see an influx of tourists for the World Cup.

Drug gangs who were pushed from Rio slums have been striking back at police with brazen attacks on their outposts.