Latest
CHURCH TRAGEDY
Active shooter at Vestavia Hills church leaves 2 dead and 1 hurt during St Stephen’s Episcopal potluck dinner
TWO people are dead and another is hurt after cops rushed to the scene of an active shooter at an Alabama church on Thursday, June 16, 2022.
Police say a lone gunman walked into a small group meeting at St Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills and opened fire.
5
5
5
5
The chaos unfolded just after 6.20pm local time when calls started coming in about an active shooter at the church.
Police found three victims.
Officers initially reported that two people were fighting for their lives after being brought to local hospitals.
Vestavia Hills Police Captain Shane Ware said in an update that one of the surviving victims died, bringing the death toll to two.
READ MORE ALABAMA STORIES
The third victim is being treated for an unknown injury at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Ware said late Thursday.
The suspected shooter was in police custody, though no further details were released about the individual.
A motive has not yet been revealed and it's unclear how police were able to take down the suspect, who has not been named.
Police declined to take questions at brief news conferences at the scene.
Most read in US News
A number of law enforcement agencies were on hand assisting local police, in addition to neighboring fire departments.
“We know of no additional threat to either the community of Vestavia Hills or our neighboring community of Mountain Brook,” the police captain told reporters just after 8pm.
The investigation remained active as of late Thursday.
Traffic was moving slowly through the area and residents were urged to avoid roads near the site of the tragedy.
St Stephens Episcopal Church was hosting a "Boomers Potluck" dinner at 5pm in their Parish Hall, according to its website.
The event was open to all and was the third Thursday potluck the church hosted.
Vestavia Hills is located less than 15 minutes south of Birmingham, Alabama.
There are a handful of other churches and places of worship in the area near St Stephen's.
COMMUNITY SHAKEN
A prayer circle was held at the church as cops continued to scour the grounds for evidence.
Other community members gathered in the nearby Publix parking lot to pray for the victims, whose identities have not been released.
Ashley Curry, Mayor of Vestavia Hills, released a statement about the shooting.
“With the tragic news that has broken this evening, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the victims of this evening’s shooting at St Stephen’s Episcopal Church.
"I would also like to offer thanks on behalf of myself and our Vestavia Hills residents to the first responders from all agencies who have worked tirelessly since this incident began.”
Rev Kelley Hudlow with the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama told local NBC affiliate that church members, staff, and the diverse religious community in the area will need a lot of support after the rampage.
"We're gonna need a lot of love," Hudlow said.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More On The Sun
Vestavia Hills police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to call 205-978-0140.
The US Sun contacted the Vestavia Hills Police Department for more information.
5
Topics