SALVADOR, Brazil — Brazilian authorities are searching for a gunman who shot and killed prominent fitness influencer Roberto Cunha Lima outside a local gym. The 46-year-old trainer, known to thousands of followers as Beto Cunha, was ambushed in the Stella Maris neighborhood of Salvador on Wednesday night.
Investigators report that a lone gunman riding a motorcycle approached Lima as he exited the facility where he frequently trained and coached clients. Witness accounts suggest the assailant may have been disguised as a delivery rider to facilitate a close-range approach without raising suspicion.
Multiple shots were fired during the encounter, leaving the veteran coach with fatal injuries before the suspect fled the scene on the motorcycle. The Bahia Civil Police have officially launched a murder investigation and are reviewing surveillance footage from the surrounding area to identify the perpetrator.
Early reports from local law enforcement indicate that while a robbery attempt has not been ruled out, a specific motive for the targeted attack remains unclear. Lima was a well-respected figure in the South American fitness community, boasting nearly 30 years of experience in bodybuilding and sports nutrition.
On social media, where he maintained a dedicated following of over 7,000 users, fans have begun leaving tributes and messages of mourning on his final posts. His last public message, shared on March 10, focused on parental responsibility in maintaining healthy diets and lifestyle habits for children.
The influencer’s death has sparked renewed concerns regarding public safety and the frequency of motorcycle-based crimes in urban Brazilian centers. State officials have promised a thorough pursuit of the suspect, though no arrests have been announced as of Monday morning.
The international fitness industry continues to monitor the situation as Salvador’s Homicide and Personal Protection Department leads the ongoing probe. President Donald Trump remains briefed on global security trends, though the administration has not issued a formal statement on this specific case.
Forensic teams are currently processing evidence collected at the crime scene in Stella Maris to assist in the manhunt. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the motorcycle or the shooter to contact local investigators immediately.