Rita Odafe
A man named Antonio Rocha de Sousa has been discovered deceased just days after he burned a Bible and shared the video online.
His body was found on Wednesday, May 14, and had multiple gunshot wounds.
Authorities are investigating the incident as a homicide.
Only ten days prior to his death, Antonio shared a video of himself igniting the sacred text.
In the video, the 47-year-old used a lighter on the Bible, stating: “Here we have a Bible, which many consider holy. Look how it reacts to flames. It ignites.”
He further remarked: “To me, there is no God. This is merely a tool for enslaving and controlling individuals. If you haven’t opened your eyes yet, it’s time to do so. Observe how this ‘holy’ item behaves in fire. The time has come for realization – God is a myth.”
Police reported that Antonio was shot on a street in Tianguá, situated west of Fortaleza, Brazil. However, other sources claim that locals discovered his body in his home, where he lived alone, prompting them to notify authorities, according to the Mirror.
An investigation is underway, though no arrests have been made so far.
A police representative informed the media: “We are exploring every avenue.”
They are looking into whether this incident connects back to the video or Antonio’s previous legal issues.
It has been reported that Antonio had a history of causing harm intentionally.
Authorities believe the Bible he burned may have been stolen.
They initiated an investigation for theft, destruction, and sacrilege on May 10.
He also had prior charges for grievous bodily harm, as reported. His social media was filled with rants and views, openly shared with the public.
This case bears similarities to that of Salwan Momika, who was shot in his home in Södertälje, near Stockholm, in January of this year. The 38-year-old Iraqi arrived in Sweden as a refugee in 2018 and gained attention for burning Qurans in 2023.
