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Brazil: gunman kills four worshippers during mass at cathedral Brazil: gunman kills four worshippers during mass at cathedral
(about 2 hours later)
A man opened fire in a cathedral in southern Brazil after mass on Tuesday, killing four and leaving four others injured before turning a gun on himself, authorities said.A man opened fire in a cathedral in southern Brazil after mass on Tuesday, killing four and leaving four others injured before turning a gun on himself, authorities said.
The incident happened at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Campinas, a city about 60 miles (100km) north of São Paulo.The incident happened at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Campinas, a city about 60 miles (100km) north of São Paulo.
Wilson Cassante, a spokesman for the Campinas archdiocese, told the Associated Press that the shooting happened right after mass was celebrated. He said the officiating priest had left before the shooting began. Police identified the shooter as Euler Fernando Gandolfo, 49, a systems analyst with no criminal record.
A spokesman for São Paulo state firefighters told the AP that four injured had been taken to local hospitals. Their conditions were not immediately known. Gandolfo entered the cathedral and sat down among mainly elderly worshippers who remained to pray after midday mass. “I suddenly saw a man stand up, take position in front of a couple and shoot them point blank. I ran out fast and he continued firing, many shots,” said Pedro Rodrigues, a 66-year-old retiree.
“It was frightful,” said another witness, Alexandre Moraes, on GloboNews channel. “He shot randomly at people. They were all praying.”
The Campinas police chief, Jose Henrique Ventura, said security cameras showed Gandolfo walk into the cathedral and sit down. A little later he started shooting at people.
Police in the plaza outside rushed in when they heard the shots, Ventura told a news conference.
The gunman ran to the altar while firing at police and was hit in the side. He fell to ground and shot himself in the head, Ventura said. Gandolfo had two guns with 28 rounds left when he died.
Four injured were taken to local hospitals but were out of danger.
'A devastating scenario': Brazil sets new record for homicides at 63,880 deaths'A devastating scenario': Brazil sets new record for homicides at 63,880 deaths
Cassante said church officials did not recognize the shooter or have any ideas about his motive. Police have not established a motive.
“It’s so sad,” said Cassante. “It’s hard to imagine the pain this has caused.”
Globo News reported that the man entered the front of the church and began shooting from two handguns.
The motive was not clear. Authorities have yet to release the name or age of the suspect.
While Brazil leads the world in total annual homicides, mass shootings are relatively rare.While Brazil leads the world in total annual homicides, mass shootings are relatively rare.
The rise in armed violence helped far-right politician Jair Bolsonaro win October’s presidential election, vowing to crack down on corruption, drug gangs and crime in the streets of Brazilian cities.
Bolsonaro, who takes office on 1 January, plans to ease gun laws to allow Brazilians to arm themselves against criminals, a policy his critics say will only increase the murder rate.
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