Man Who Burnt A Bible And Posted Video On Social Media Found Shot Dead In Brazil by Citynobs May 22, 2025, 1:19 am According to reports from The Mirror on Tuesday, May 20, Brazilian authorities have launched a homicide investigation after a man who posted a video of himself burning a Bible was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim, identified as 47-year-old Antônio Rocha de Sousa, was discovered on Wednesday, May 14, in the town of Tianguá, located in the western region of the state of Ceará. According to local police, Antônio’s body was riddled with bullets, and initial investigations are treating the case as a targeted killing. There are conflicting accounts about where his body was found. Some reports suggest he was gunned down in the street, while others claim his remains were discovered inside his residence, where he lived alone. Authorities have not yet confirmed the precise location. The incident occurred just ten days after Antônio published a controversial video on social media, in which he was seen burning a Bible and making statements rejecting the existence of God. In the clip, he held up a Bible, lit it on fire, and said: “This is a Bible, which they say is sacred. Look what it does when faced with fire it burns.” He continued: “To me, God doesn’t exist. This is just a way to enslave and manipulate people. If you haven’t woken up yet, it’s time to wake up.” His comments, considered deeply offensive by many religious individuals, sparked outrage on social media. Police are now investigating whether the viral video played a role in his murder or if the crime may be linked to other aspects of his personal life. Authorities revealed that Antônio had a criminal history, including previous charges of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and suspected theft. They also believe the Bible he burned may have been stolen, prompting investigators to open a separate case for theft, property damage, and desecration on May 10. In addition to his criminal record, Antônio frequently posted provocative and controversial content online. Despite his earlier anti-religious stance, one of his final social media posts included religious language: “Follower of Christ, peacekeeper of peace. Born again in Christ, among the living, who were once dead… after having been tested, tried, and approved by God.” The case has drawn comparisons to that of Salwan Momika, an Iraqi man living in Sweden who became internationally known for burning copies of the Quran. Momika was shot and killed at his home in Södertälje, near Stockholm, earlier this year.
