An attendee at a potluck dinner inside an Alabama church Thursday subdued the suspected shooter and held him down until police arrived on the scene, authorities said Friday.
The 71-year-old suspect, who has not been identified, is in police custody and allegedly opened fire inside St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, Thursday evening, killing two and injuring one, according to Vestavia Hills Police.
“The person that subdued him is a hero,” Capt. Shane Ware declared during a press conference Friday.
TWO DEAD AND ONE INJURED IN ALABAMA CHURCH SHOOTING
Police identified the victims as Walter Rainey, 84, and Sarah Yeager, 75. Rainey died at the scene while Yeager died after she was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The third victim, an 84-year-old woman, is receiving treatment at the hospital, according to Ware.
The alleged shooter occasionally attended the “Boomer’s Potluck Dinner” event that was being held the night of the shooting. He has been described as a white male and is believed to have acted alone. The unidentified suspect wielded a handgun during his shooting spree, according to police, who said a motive for the shooting is not clear.
Rev. John Burruss, the rector of the church, was away on a trip to Greece when the shooting took place, but he shared his condolences.
“More than anything, I ask your prayers for our community, especially those who are injured and the families of the deceased. These are the pillars of our community, and I cannot begin to fathom how painful this is for our entire church, and the larger community,” he wrote.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey also offered her condolences to the victims and their families after the shooting unfolded.
“As we are learning about the shocking and tragic loss of a life at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia, we want to offer our prayers for the victim’s family, the injured, and the entire church community,” she said. “I am glad to hear the shooter is in custody. This should never happen — in a church, in a store, in the city, or anywhere. We continue to closely monitor the situation.”
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Parishioners and locals gathered outside the church in a parking lot praying for the victims Thursday night following the shooting, WBRC reported.
