Bhatti had been the recipient of death threats since 2009 , when he spoke in support of Pakistani Christians attacked in the 2009 Gojra riots in Punjab Province . These threats increased following his support for Asia Bibi , a Pakistani Christian sentenced to death in 2010 for blasphemy . The United States had tried to obtain increased security for him and get him an armoured car but was unsuccessful . Bhatti himself foretold his death and recorded a video , which was to be released in case of his death , where he said " I believe in Jesus Christ who has given his own life for us , and I am ready to die for a cause . I 'm living for my community ... and I will die to defend their rights . " According to the BBC , Bhatti was travelling to work through a residential district , having just left his mother 's home , when his vehicle was sprayed with bullets . At the time of the attack he was alone , without any security . His driver reports having stopped the car and ducked when he saw armed men approaching rather than attempting to evade the threat . Bhatti was taken to a nearby hospital , but he was pronounced dead on arrival . The group Tehrik-i-Taliban told the BBC that they carried out the attack , because Bhatti was a " known blasphemer . " A Roman Catholic who had criticised Pakistan 's blasphemy law , his death follows that of Punjab governor Salman Taseer , who was also assassinated amid the controversy over the blasphemy law
2009 Gojra riots
2009 Gojra riots
Shahbaz Bhatti