Tottenham’s Emerson Royal calls off-duty cop an ‘angel’ after being robbed at gunpoint
Leonard T. Koonce
3 min read
Emerson Royal thanks ‘angel’ of off-duty police officer who ‘risked his own life to save mine’ after ‘armed assailant tried to rob Tottenham star, 23, held at gunpoint outside Brazil nightclub”
- Emerson Royal provided an update after it was allegedly robbed
- The Tottenham defender had just left a nightclub in his hometown of Sao Paulo
- The man allegedly pointed a gun at him while demanding his belongings
- An off-duty policeman fired 29 shots at the man to save the Brazilian
- Royal took to social media to thank the ‘angel’ who helped him escape
Tottenham defender Emerson Royal has thanked an off-duty police officer after surviving a shooting outside a Brazilian nightclub in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The 23-year-old left a nightclub in his hometown of Sao Paulo around 3 a.m. and was taking pictures with an off-duty police officer when an individual pointed a gun at him and demanded his belongings. It is claimed that the officer drew his gun and opened fire on the robber.
Twenty-nine shots were reportedly fired at the attacker, one of which hit him in the back and forced him to be taken to a nearby hospital. Royal has since taken to social media to show his gratitude to the officer.
Emerson Royal thanked an off-duty police office after being targeted by an armed robber
In a post on her Instagram story, Royal wrote: ‘God sends angels to earth, this is confirmed every day in my life. This human being whom I call an angel risked his own life to save mine… I will be eternally grateful to you!!
‘You are essential for me to be here today!! Thank you, thank you, and thank you. (This photo was moments before the event, where he said he was my fan and asked for a photo with me).
According to delegate Robson Gonçalves de Oliveira, of the Judicial Police Center (CPJ), where the case was registered, an accomplice in the crime may have warned the thief of the player’s presence in the nightclub.
“Someone must have noticed he was carrying valuables. That must have caught the attention of a scout. That scout must have told the executor of the theft and he took care of carrying out the theft “said the delegate.
The Spurs defender can be seen sporting an expensive watch and chains in the photo taken with the policeman – with officials saying this could be why Royal was targeted.
Royal shared a photo taken with the off-duty policeman who shot his thief
The Spurs defender took to Instagram to reassure fans he was fine following the altercation
The incident happened just after Royal and his family left the New Trips nightclub in Sao Paulo
Talk to Globo Sports, Royal’s father detailed the events of the night: “I was partying and on my way out the whole thing happened which was very bad. A horror scene indeed. I don’t wish that on anyone.
‘He [the policeman] went, as usual, with Royal to the car and when he realized there was a robbery and the criminal was pointing the gun at Emerson, just as the criminal was distracted, the policeman started exchanging gunfire with him.
“There were about five or six people with him. Everyone ran to one side, dodging, because they didn’t know where the blows were coming from.
The 23-year-old made 41 appearances in all competitions in his first season for Tottenham
Royal is currently on holiday in his homeland following his debut campaign for Tottenham.
The Brazilian full-back moved to north London from Barcelona for £25.8million last summer and has made 41 appearances in all competitions for Antonio Conte’s side.
The 23-year-old was not included in Brazil’s squad for the friendlies against Japan and Argentina this week but says he still hopes to secure a place in the World Cup squad later this year.
