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A Good Samaritan has been shot dead after trying to overpower a gun-toting hostage-taker on the steps of a city cathedral.

The sickening drama unfolded outside Sao Paulo Cathedral at around 2pm yesterday afternoon as scores of people watched on from a nearby square.

Videos including footage filmed by eye-witnesses on their mobile phones show the moment 61-year-old Francisco Erasmo Rodrigues de Lima confronted the gunman and pushed him over.

His terrified female captive managed to run to safety.

But tragically her saviour was shot dead seconds later as hostage-taker Luiz Antonio da Silva recovered his balance and fired on him from close-range.

Police reacted by blasting the gunman to death in a hail of bullets as dozens of bystanders looked on

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

The shocking sequence of events happened in one of Sao Paulo’s busiest areas and at a spot regarded as the heart of the city centre.

It is near to a tube station used by millions of people every day. Former pope Benedict XVI held a mass at the cathedral during his visit to Brazil in 2007.

Local media reported the gunman had spent about 20 minutes preying inside the temple with his unnamed victim before hauling her out onto the steps of the church in full views of passers-by.Security staff at the church had already called police because they suspected he had a weapon.

Da Silva, 49, is reported to have recently finished a 22-year prison sentence for crimes including robbery, theft, drugs trafficking and assault.

The woman hostage, who escaped serious injury, has not been named. It appeared last night the drama may have been sparked by a botched robbery.

Local police said in a statement: “An armed criminal targeted a victim and announced a hold-up.

“A passer-by saw what was happening and on intervening, was injured by shots fired by the criminal. The passer-by died at the scene.

“Meanwhile the victim, who was also injured, was helped by local police at the scene where she received medical attention.

“Military police who were close by were informed by witnesses and on reaching the place the witnesses indicated, there was a confrontation.

“The criminal was injured and died at the scene. Military police were unharmed.”