A married father of two has been shot dead as he filmed a group of heavily-armed criminals as they carried out a large-scale bank robbery.

Over 20 criminals are believed to have taken part in the mega-assault on several bank branches in the Brazilian city of Aracatuba in the early hours of Monday, 30th August.

The heist, which saw the criminals using hostages as human shields, has claimed the lives of at least three people, including petrol station owner Renato Bortolucci.

In the footage filmed by the 38-year-old man as he hid behind a car, several gunshots fired by the bank robbers can be heard.

He was fatally hit by a bullet moments later, with cops believing it was the criminals who fired the rifle shot that hit him in the head. His dead body was found slumped beside his parked car.

It is not clear if the businessman was caught in crossfire or if he was intentionally executed for filming the criminals’ actions. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters.

A second victim has been named as personal trainer Marcio Victor Possa da Silva, 34. The third victim has not been named but is said to be one of the criminals.

At least five other people were admitted to the hospital, including a young man who had to have his feet amputated after he was injured by an explosive device left by the criminals.

The heist in Aracatuba (population estimated at 198,129 in 2020) gained worldwide notoriety after the criminals were filmed driving down the road in their getaway vehicles with hostages strapped to the bonnets and roof.

Sao Paulo state governor Joao Doria has said: “The scenes of terror experienced in Aracatuba will not go unpunished.”

A task force of 380 police officers and two helicopters is currently searching for the remaining suspects.