Watch VideoNew Life incident 11th church-related shooting in recent U.S. history
Story By: David Ortiviz
Source: KOAA
Published Mon Dec 10, 2007, 06:25 PM MST
Updated Fri Dec 14, 2007, 12:12 PM MST
"It's a tragedy to see these types of things happening to so many innocent people," said Pastor Bobby Wilson of Praise Assembly in Pueblo. Wilson is referring to the shooting at New Life Church, in Colorado Springs on Sunday in which two teenage sisters were killed by a gunman, and several others were injured.
"They came to church to worship and what happened (Sunday) is a real tragedy," said Pastor Brady Boyd of New Life Church.
But how could something so terrible happen in a place of worship? That question is weighing heavily on many people's minds including Pastor Wilson's mind. "There are things going on in our world that just don't make sense," said Pastor Wilson.
Pastor Wilson leads Praise Assembly, a 900-member church in Pueblo. "At first I was heartsick, heavy, frustrated, feeling a sense of helpless desperation about things like this happening," said Pastor Wilson.
The shooting at New Life Church is the 11th U.S. shooting at a church or religious center in the past 16 years, according to the Denver Post. More than two dozen people have been killed in those shootings. The latest shooting was in Neosho, Missouri in August. A gunman opened fire inside a church and killed three people.
"Wherever people are there is vulnerability and yeah churches are not exempt," said Pastor Wilson. So he has told all of his door greeters, parking lot attendants, and other staff members to watch people on church property more closely. "Being observant and aware of people as they come in and things that may look unusual," said Pastor Wilson.
Pastor Wilson says he doesn't think Sunday's shooting will stop people from attending church services, but he wants them to be remain alert. "We all have to just keep our eyes open I think, be careful, and be alert," he said.
For now Pastor Wilson says this is a time for prayer for all those who were affected by Sunday's tragedy.
