NewsNational/World News

Actions

3 seniors killed by gunman at Alabama church potluck

CORRECTION Church Shooting
Posted at 6:48 PM, Jun 16, 2022
and last updated 2022-06-17 18:35:10-04

Police in Alabama said on Friday a third victim died in Thursday's shooting at a church potluck just outside of the city of Birmingham on Thursday.

Police said the gunman was a 70-year-old man who had attended services at the church before. The man will be charged with capital murder according to authorities.

Two of the victims died not long after the shooting, while the third victim died the next day.

Two of the victims that were killed were 84-years-old and the other was 75-years-old. Police say one person at the church potluck was able to subdue the shooter and then restrain him while police arrived.

In a statement from the Vestavia Hill Police Department, law enforcement say they responded to the shooting at around 6:22 p.m. Central Time at the Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church located in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Police said they were responding to reports of an active shooter at the scene.

Church members console each other after a shooting at the Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Vestavia, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Police said multiple law enforcement agencies responded including fire and rescue. Multiple people were confirmed to be shot when officers arrived. Police confirmed to the press that the suspect was taken into custody shortly after.

Police Capt. Shane Ware initially declined to name the suspect at a news conference on Thursday evening. The dead and wounded were not immediately identified either.

Police said the armed suspect entered the church during the meeting and started shooting.

According to thechurch's website, a "Boomers Potluck" was planned for Thursday, June 16, and was set to start at 5 p.m. local time.