A motorcyclist filmed the moment he was allegedly shot in the spine by an off-duty cop in a near-fatal road rage attack in Brazil.

Detectives released footage of the incident yesterday after confirming they have charged a police officer with the attempted murder of Gabriel Rego.

Doctors reported the bullet lodged in the spine of the 38-year-old and he is at risk of becoming a paraplegic.

The micro-camera recording shows Mr Rego riding his bike late at night in Manaus, north Brazil.

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The pair engage in a heated exchange of profanities in the middle of the road

Manaus police released this photograph of the .38 calibre revolver which is undergoing ballistics testing after being seized

As he reaches a crossroads, a silver car apparently fails to give way and narrowly avoids running into him.

Turning left and riding on for a few metres, the biker angrily swears to himself about the driver's apparent error.

He seems to become more riled up and decides to turn back to confront the motorist.

Drawing level with the vehicle, which has stopped in the middle of the road, the motorcyclist appears to start the argument with the driver who has his window wound down.

Both exchange profanities while repeatedly asking each other 'Do you know me?'.

The moment the off-duty policeman's car is perceived to have not given way by Mr Rega

Mr Rega initially motors on while clearly looking back at the silver car in frustration

The biker has turned around and heads back towards the vehicle to have words with its driver

Mr Rega lashes out with his foot at the driver's wing mirror before accelerating off

Seconds later the shot rings out and Mr Rega slows on the motorbike before slumping to the road

Mr Rega's head is pointed to the sky as he lies helpless in agony after the bullet struck him

Suddenly the rider appears to kick and break the wing mirror on the car and tires to speed off.

A split second later a single gunshot rings out and the biker films himself crashing to the ground and records his harrowing cries for help as he realises he has just been shot in his back.

The camera registers the distressing moment he lies injured and flails around with one arm, unable to move while begging someone to call his brother.

Witnesses rush to his aid with one local taking off his helmet while others try to calm him down, run to bring blankets to cover him and ring emergency services.

'I'm going to die,' cried the distraught victim as he falls to the ground. He is unable to feel any sensation in his legs and wails that he's paralysed.

A bystander comes to his aid as he cries out, 'I'm going to die', before he was rushed to hospital

Mr Rega poses for a selfie, he underwent emergency surgery to have the bullet removed at João Lúcio Hospital, Manaus

The seriously injured man was taken to João Lúcio Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to remove the bullet.

Investigators used the recording of the confrontation, which happened on October 10, to get the registration number, make and model of the car. Armed with this information they soon identified and arrested the driver of the Astra.

A .38 calibre revolver allegedly used in the crime was seized and sent to the Expertise Institute for Ballistic testing. The cop has not been named for security reasons.

During his testimony, the accused claimed he acted in self-defence.

Gabriel Rego, 38, poses next to his bike and his helmet can be seen on the seat with the camera attached

Another weapon seized by Manaus police, although a different calibre to what they say caused Mr Rega's injuries

Detective Pablo Giovani said: 'He alleged he felt threatened because the victim had shown him the handle of a pistol which worried him and he shot to defend himself.'

However, the detective claimed the version given by the military police officer did not match the footage shot by the camera on the victim's crash helmet.

'His reasons do not appear to add up,' he said.

'It's possible to see in the film that the victim is holding the motorcycle handlebars with both hands throughout the exchange. We do not believe he took one hand off at any point to reach for the handle of a weapon.'

The medical team caring for the patient said it is still early days to determine whether Mr Rego will regain full use of his legs. For now, they are working on trying to stimulate limited movement.