Shot During Business Trip in Brazil... Saved by a Laptop That Stopped the Bullet

Chinese Businessman Encounters Armed Robbery in Sao Paulo
Laptop Stops Bullet, Survives Without Injury

A Chinese businessman on a business trip in Sao Paulo, Brazil, survived a shooting by armed robbers thanks to a laptop in his bag that miraculously stopped the bullet and saved his life.

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) in Hong Kong reported on October 9 (local time) that "Mr. Liu, a Chinese businessman, encountered armed robbers and was shot near his hotel in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil, but survived unharmed thanks to his laptop."

The incident occurred on the evening of October 1, while Mr. Liu was making a phone call near a gas station close to his hotel. A black car stopped in front of him, and a masked man got out holding a gun. Startled, Mr. Liu grabbed his bag containing his passport and work laptop and ran away. The robber fired two shots at him.

Bullet lodged in Mr. Liu's laptop. Photo captured from South China Morning Post (SCMP), Hong Kong

At the time, Mr. Liu did not feel any pain and thought the gun might be fake. However, while passing through airport security, he discovered a bullet lodged in his laptop and realized the seriousness of the situation. The bullet was stuck in the metal stand inside the bag along with the laptop, allowing Mr. Liu to escape without injury.

He told local media, "If it weren't for the laptop, I wouldn't be alive right now," adding, "I will never forget the fear I felt during my business trip in Brazil."

Brazil is considered one of the countries with the highest rates of gun crime in the world. According to Brazilian government statistics, in 2023 alone, there were about 40,000 cases of lethal violent crimes (ILVC), including murder, armed robbery, and femicide.

As a result of the incident, Mr. Liu lost his suitcase, iPad, external hard drive, and gifts for his family, but returned home carrying only the bag with his laptop. Local police stated, "Armed robberies are common in Brazil, and the chances of recovering stolen items are low."

There have been similar cases in the past. In January 2017, during a mass shooting at Fort Lauderdale Airport in Florida, a male passenger was shot from behind, but the bullet failed to penetrate his backpack containing a laptop, saving his life.