A 10-year-old girl died on her way to her cousin's birthday party after the car she was in with her father was shot at. The girl, Sophia Loren Soares Camilo, was shot six times after a gunman approached her and her dad, Diogo, on a street in the neighbourhood where the family resides.

Sophia was in Baixada Fluminense, Brazil, on the way to her cousin's birthday party when she was fatally attacked and her farther injured. The suspect was arrested at the scene. Her uncle, Victor Rocha, called her a "sweet, kind girl who had dreams" in an emotional tribute.

He said: "Sophia was a sweet, kind girl who had dreams. She loved to hug. She was an exceptional girl. She already talked to me about her dreams and plans, even though it was childish stuff."

The fatal incident unfolded around 5.30pm on Saturday after Diogo was ordered by the suspect to stop his car.

He obeyed, turning on his hazard lights and telling the man he lives in the area, but the gunman then fired eight shots, according to local media. Sophia was shot in the chest and legs, while Diogo suffered injuries to the lower half of his body.

He managed to drive to a hospital in a nearby area, where Sophgia was admitted in serious condition. They were both later transferred to a different hospital, where the 10-year-old sadly died of her injuries.

Victor explained: "Diogo was coming from the mall with my niece, in his car, to bring her to my nephew's party, when he was approached by a highly drugged individual with a gun in his hand.

"This guy managed to destroy two families at the same time. He shattered the dream of a 10-year-old child and ruined the life of a father, not to mention the rest of the family."

Sophia's cousin Clayton Soares added: "It's very difficult. We're even speechless. We just want justice because otherwise he'll be back on the streets soon. He destroyed two families. We are devastated. We just want justice and I hope that happens."

The military police said the suspect tried to hide in the area, but officers found him and he was taken to a police station under arrest. The weapon used to carry out the crime was also seized.

The force said: "A criminal was arrested by officers from the 39th Battalion after shooting a man and his daughter in the Gogó da Ema community, in the Bom Pastor neighborhood, in Belford Roxo.

"The weapon used in the crime was seized. The incident was referred to the 54th Police Station."