A furious mob in Brazil has burned alive a man suspected of raping and murdering a one-year-old girl. The horrific incident took place in the city of Jutai and was live streamed on social media.
Gregorio da Silva, 48, is reported to have confessed to the murder of little Laylla de Assis and disposing of her body in a river. The suspect decided to turn himself in to police after detectives identified him on surveillance cameras. Angry locals gathered outside the police station, demanding justice before the situation turned ugly.
A mob stormed the precinct, hurling Molotov cocktails, setting off fireworks and throwing bottles, according to the Amazonas Military Police.
They quickly overwhelmed officers before dragging da Silva out into the middle of the street. Video images broadcast live on social media showed people surrounding the suspect and throwing stones and other objects at him.
As da Silva lay motionless on the ground, a man approached and casually set fire to him as the crowd cheered.
Another person then threw a large piece of wood over his burning body. Further video footage showed da Silva’s body covered by wooden pallets while residents shouted at him.
In another clip, an ambulance can be seen pulling up to the site as the fire raged in the background.
Laylla’s mum had put her baby to bed on a floating boat in Jutaí, before later noticing she had gone missing.
Da Silva, a popsicle vendor, reportedly came under pressure and decided to turn himself in and confessed to sexually abusing and killing the baby.
A video showed the distraught mother sitting on the ground after learning of her daughter’s death. In a heartbreaking scene, she says: “Why didn’t you do it to me, Lord? I deserve it.”
She was later accused of inciting the crowd and was arrested along with three other people.