A gunman went on a shooting spree in a Catholic cathedral near Sao Paulo city in Brazil, claiming lives of four people and leaving four others injured, before killing himself.

The incident took place at a church in Campinas, a city located in the state of Sao Paulo. Brazilian police said that the gunman, who was an employee of a tech company, entered the cathedral, observed mass prayers and then fired about 20 shots at a congregation of worshippers, NHK reported.

The shooter, aged 49 years, turned the gun on himself before the police arrived at the scene.

An investigation has been initiated by the police to ascertain the motive behind the shooting.

The latest incident comes after at least 12 people, including six thieves and a child, died during an attempted robbery of two banks in Milagres city in Ceara state last week. The casualties were inflicted during a shootout between the armed robbers and the police.

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