Fearless man shot dead after saving hostage from gunman

An investigation is now underway to rule out the possibility fearless Francisco, who had a cigarette butt in his mouth as he tackled da Silva, was killed by a stray police bullet.

Graphic videos including footage recorded by witnesses on their mobile phones showed the moment the have-a-go-hero – identified as 61-year-old Francisco Erasmo Rodrigues de Lima – rushed up to the gunman and pushed him over.

Local media have reported that the gunman spent about 20 minutes praying inside the cathedral with his unnamed victim before dragging her out onto the steps of the church, where he held her hostage for over an hour.

A homeless man ran onto the steps to wrestle off the attacker, but was shot during the scramble and died against the Cathedral walls.

By then, police were in place and killed the gunman with a hail of gunfire, but the heroic homeless man was mortally wounded.

It is unclear why the attack occurred or what relationship the gunman had to the woman taken hostage. “They then left the church and he assaulted her”, cathedral security guard Joao Nascimento said.

Authorities have not yet released a report detailing the incident, but word has it the entire affair was just a robbery gone wrong, IBT reports.

“An armed criminal targeted a victim and announced a hold-up”. With the woman out of the way, police officers opened fire and shot at the gunman themselves, fatally injuring him.

He was shot in his chest and, shortly after, died at the scene.

The woman received medical attention at the scene but was not seriously hurt. Military police who were close by were informed by witnesses and on reaching the place the witnesses indicated, there was a confrontation.

The attacker also died in a shootout with police who surged onto the steps after the first shot. “Military police were unharmed”.