Brazil cathedral shooting: five dead in church attack
Shooter identified as a 49-year-old systems analyst with no criminal record
A gunman opened fire inside a Brazilian cathedral yesterday, killing four people and wounding seven others before turning the gun on himself.
Euler Fernando Gandolfo, 49, opened fire moments after the end of midday mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Conception in Campinas, near Sao Paulo.
CCTV footage of the attack shows worshippers running from the church and throwing themselves behind pews to shield themselves from the rampage.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
At least 20 shots were fired, according to Father Amauri Thomazzi, who had just finished conducting the mass when the tragedy occurred.
After a brief standoff with police, Gandolfo shot himself in front of the altar.
One of the victims has been named as 39-year-old Sidnei Victor Monteiro, whose mother was among those wounded in the attack, the Brazilian daily O Globo reports.
Police are still working to establish why Gandolfo, a systems analyst with no criminal history, carried out the attack. It is one of the most deadly mass shootings in recent Brazilian history.
The gunman carried out the massacre with a 9mm army issue handgun whose serial number had been scratched off, O Globo reports. He also carried a .38 calibre revolver, which was not fired during the attack.
Brazil’s incoming president Jair Bolsonaro, who will take office on 1 January, has made relaxing the country’s gun control laws one of his main campaign promises.
The right-wing populist says that law-abiding citizens must be able to protect themselves with firearms, which are currently restricted to police officers and those able to prove a specific need for a weapon.
But security experts argue that more guns could inflate Brazil’s “already high crime rates”, says the Washington Post.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published