Brazen murder of Rio councilwoman shocks Brazil

Bystanders look on as Rio's Civil Police officers transport Brazilian politician Marielle Franco's car on March 15 after she was found shot dead in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

Franco, 38, a black councilwoman who was an outspoken critic of police brutality, was shot in the head four times as she was returning from a political event on Wednesday night. Her death touched a nerve in Latin America's largest nation, where more than 50 percent identify as black or mixed-race yet most politicians are white men.

Investigators, prosecutors and even drug gang leaders said the shooting of Marielle Franco, 38, a rising star in the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), appeared to be a political assassination.

Women comfort each other at the scene of Franco's murder.

Political violence is common in Brazil - but typically in smaller or more impoverished cities.

A police investigator inspects Franco's body.

Franco's driver was also killed in the attack and her press officer was injured.

Rio's state Legislator Marcelo Freixo, right, of the same political party as Franco, is comforted as he stands close to the crime scene.

Bullet holes are tagged on the car. 

Demonstrators walk by graffiti reading "Fascist PM (Militarized Police)" during a protest against the murder on March 15. 

The attack came just a month after President Michel Temer put the military in charge of security in Rio, which is experiencing a spike in violence less than two years after hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Thousands turn out for the arrival of Franco's coffin at the Municipal Chamber, where her wake was celebrated.

Demonstrators react as Franco's body arrives at the city council chamber.

A woman, beside a photo of Franco, looks on at the demonstration.

Hundreds of mourners gather for the arrival of Franco's coffin.

Mourners grieve during Franco's funeral.

Some 1,000 people stood under the tropical sun outside City Hall to greet her coffin as it arrived.

Demonstrators protest outside the city council chamber ahead of the wake for Franco. A woman shouts as she holds a banner that reads "No to guns."

Relatives of the councilwoman and activists pay tribute during her funeral at Caju Cemetery in Rio de Janeiro.

Demonstrators in Sao Paulo rally against Franco's murder. 

A man lights a candle next to a sign reading "They will not keep us quiet."

Elected in 2016, Franco was a member of the left-leaning Socialism and Liberty Party known for her social work in poor and marginalized shantytowns, or favelas, and for her outspokenness against police violence, which disproportionately affects black residents.

Brazilians demonstrate against Franco's murder in front of Rio's Municipal Chamber.

The Week in Pictures: March 8 - 15