http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/24/multiple-people-shot-at-tennessee-church-police-say.html
Authorities said one woman was killed and seven others were wounded after a suspected gunman, identified as Emanuel Kidega Samson, opened fire at a Tennessee church Sunday.
Samson, identified by police as a 25-year-old African-American man, is suspected of opening fire at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch, southeast of Nashville, just after 11 a.m. and fired “multiple rounds,” police said in a news conference. The Nashville Fire Department called the incident “a mass casualty situation.”
A church usher, identified as Robert Engle, 22, confronted the gunman at one point and was pistol-whipped, causing "significant injury around his head." He told police he then went to his own car, grabbed a pistol and headed back into the church.
It was initially reported that the gunman shot himself, although police said it's unclear whether he shot himself or the gun unintentionally discharged during his scuffle with Engle.
An unidentified woman who was fatally shot had just left church and was walking to her car when she was hit, police said.
The gunman, with his blue vehicle still running in the parking lot, then entered the rear of the church and shot six people – three women and three men – who were rushed to the hospital, police said.
Police identified those being treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and in stable condition as: William Jenkins, 83; Marlene Jenkins, 84; Peggy Span, 65; and Linda Bush, 68. David Span, 60, was also being treated at Vanderbilt, but was listed as in critical but stable condition.
Katherine Dickerson, 64, was in stable condition at Skyline Medical Center. Engle was also being treated at Skyline.
Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson called Engle a "hero" for his actions at the church Sunday.
"This is a mass casualty situation. All of the wounded have been transported to area hospitals. The majority are older adults," Nashville Fire Department wrote on Twitter, who later clarified all but one victim was over the age of 60.
Several witnesses claimed the shooter was wearing a “clown mask” when he opened fire, but police said he was wearing a mask that resembled more of a ski mask.
The FBI is responding to the incident, but is not leading the investigation at this point.
Megan Barry, mayor of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, said in a statement that the shooting "is a terrible tragedy for our city. My heart aches for the family and friends of the deceased as well as for the wounded victims and their loved ones."
The church has a weekly service starting at 10 a.m. Sunday. The surrounding area was closed off as police investigated the situation.
Authorities said one woman was killed and seven others were wounded after a suspected gunman, identified as Emanuel Kidega Samson, opened fire at a Tennessee church Sunday.
Samson, identified by police as a 25-year-old African-American man, is suspected of opening fire at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch, southeast of Nashville, just after 11 a.m. and fired “multiple rounds,” police said in a news conference. The Nashville Fire Department called the incident “a mass casualty situation.”
A church usher, identified as Robert Engle, 22, confronted the gunman at one point and was pistol-whipped, causing "significant injury around his head." He told police he then went to his own car, grabbed a pistol and headed back into the church.
It was initially reported that the gunman shot himself, although police said it's unclear whether he shot himself or the gun unintentionally discharged during his scuffle with Engle.
An unidentified woman who was fatally shot had just left church and was walking to her car when she was hit, police said.
The gunman, with his blue vehicle still running in the parking lot, then entered the rear of the church and shot six people – three women and three men – who were rushed to the hospital, police said.
Police identified those being treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and in stable condition as: William Jenkins, 83; Marlene Jenkins, 84; Peggy Span, 65; and Linda Bush, 68. David Span, 60, was also being treated at Vanderbilt, but was listed as in critical but stable condition.
Katherine Dickerson, 64, was in stable condition at Skyline Medical Center. Engle was also being treated at Skyline.
Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson called Engle a "hero" for his actions at the church Sunday.
"This is a mass casualty situation. All of the wounded have been transported to area hospitals. The majority are older adults," Nashville Fire Department wrote on Twitter, who later clarified all but one victim was over the age of 60.
Several witnesses claimed the shooter was wearing a “clown mask” when he opened fire, but police said he was wearing a mask that resembled more of a ski mask.
The FBI is responding to the incident, but is not leading the investigation at this point.
Megan Barry, mayor of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, said in a statement that the shooting "is a terrible tragedy for our city. My heart aches for the family and friends of the deceased as well as for the wounded victims and their loved ones."
The church has a weekly service starting at 10 a.m. Sunday. The surrounding area was closed off as police investigated the situation.
