On the 11th of December, an armed man entered the Church of the  Conception of Our Lady, in Campinas, Brazil, mortally wounding at least four people while causing serious injury to another four. Finally, the assailant took his own life. One of the victims who died during the attack, forfeited his own life,  to save the life of his mother

According to reports from the Campinas police and the local fire department,  the man entered the church at 1.25pm carrying a 38mm calibre handgun and began shooting indiscriminately at the faithful that were gathered in prayer.  Moments later, the assassin approached the altar, and using the same pistol, took his own life.

Among those praying in the cathedral were a mother and her son. 39-year-old Sidnei Victor Monteiro, and his mother, Jandira Monteiro were making a visit to the Church of the  Conception of Our Lady to say a prayer before attending a dental appointment in Campinas.

When the attacker entered, the son, seeing the imminent danger, sacrificed his own life to save his mother. Jandira has yet to be told that her son gave up his own life in order to save hers.

A shocked 19-year-old Thiago, who is the grandson of Jandira, and nephew of Sidnei told Aciprensa that he had been messaging his grandmother before the attack. “She asked me if I had shown my injured knees to a doctor. She was worried about my health.”

Thiago told Aciprensa that Jandira usually prayed at the cathedral during visits to Campinas for doctors’ appointments. Thiago also spoke about his deceased uncle who was married and worked at the University of Campinas. He said Sidnei was much loved and greatly admired by his family and friends.

Jandira’s other son, Sílvio Antonio Monteiro,  told reporters that after the attack, his mother was transferred to the Mario Gatti hospital suffering from chest wounds.  She still does not know that her younger son died in the tragedy.

“I cannot speak about my feelings now. My mother is always asking me about him. I said he was alright, just to pacify her,”- said an emotional Silvio Antonio.  

Source: Aleteia , Acidigital