Two dead in Alabama church shooting

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Church members console each other after a shooting at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia, Ala., on Thursday. Associated Press/Photo by Butch Dill

A gunman entered Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in the Birmingham suburb of Vestavia Hills on Thursday evening and opened fire on a small group. Authorities confirmed two deaths and said a third person sustained injuries. The church calendar showed a “Boomers Potluck” was scheduled at the time of the shooting. Vestavia Hills Police Capt. Shane Ware said the suspect is in custody.

Who was the shooter? Police did not immediately identify the gunman but said there was no further threat to the community. An additional briefing is expected Friday. After the attack, church members huddled together and prayed in a nearby parking lot while police officers worked at the scene. Thursday’s violence follows several other deadly shootings since May, including an incident in which a man opened fire on a Taiwanese Presbyterian congregation in southern California.

Dig deeper: Read Addie Michaelian’s Compassion report on community-based efforts to curb violence.

Onize Ohikere

Onize is WORLD’s Africa reporter and deputy global desk chief. She is a World Journalism Institute graduate and earned a journalism degree from Minnesota State University–Moorhead. Onize resides in Abuja, Nigeria.

@onize_ohiks