World · Latin America · 3 hrs ago
Pastor shot dead inside church in São Leopoldo
Pastor Cláudio Roberto da Silva was shot dead inside his church in São Leopoldo, in southern Brazil, on Monday night.
He was 53 and was with his wife when two men entered the church; she escaped to seek help.
The men tried to get him to go with them to another place, saying people there wanted to speak with him, according to his wife’s account to police.
It remains unclear whether they intended to take him hostage or move him before killing him, and police have not established a motive.
One attacker fired four shots, and Silva died at the scene; the two men fled in a car with a third person waiting inside.
Silva had led the church and was known for helping people in the community.
Police are working to identify the attackers, including by checking for security-camera footage, and no one has been arrested.
Pastor Cláudio Roberto da Silva, 53, was shot dead inside his church in São Leopoldo, Brazil.
Police say two men approached him at the church on Monday night, October 12, and one of them fired four shots.
The men fled in a car, and a third person was reportedly waiting in the vehicle.
Police are investigating the killing, but the motive and the identities of the suspects have not been established.
The pastor’s wife witnessed the incident and escaped to seek help, according to abc+.
- Who
- Pastor Cláudio Roberto da Silva, 53, was killed. Two men are suspected of carrying out the attack.
- What
- He was shot four times inside his church. The motive has not been established.
- When
- Monday night, October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Igreja Esperança em Jesus Cristo, on Rua Eva Moreira dos Santos in the Santa Marta community of São Leopoldo, Brazil.
- Why
- Not stated. Police are investigating the motive.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Two men approached Silva at the church, and one of them shot him four times.
The two men fled in a car; abc+ reported that a third person was waiting in the vehicle.
Police investigators visited the church and began inquiries, including checking for security cameras.
- Victim
- Cláudio Roberto da Silva, 53
- Location
- Rua Eva Moreira dos Santos, Santa Marta, São Leopoldo
- Date
- Monday, October 12, 2026
- Shots
- Four
- Suspects
- Two men entered the church; a third person reportedly waited in a car
- Investigation
- São Leopoldo Civil Police are investigating the killing
What people are saying
They killed my father in cold blood.
I don’t hurt anyone.
Sources
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