Man Walks Into Catholic Church In Brazil, Kills 4 People Praying, Then Wounded Many

A gunman opened fire inside the Catholic cathedral in the Brazilian city of Campinas yesterday and fatally shot four people praying in the pews before killing himself after police wounded him, authorities said.

Police identified the shooter as Euler Fernando Gandolfo, 49, a systems analyst with no criminal record.

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.”

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.

Police have not established a motive.