CHURCH 'KILLER'
Vestavia Hills ‘shooter’ Robert Findlay Smith, 70, seen in chilling mugshot after ‘killing three’ at Alabama church
THE gunman accused of killing three people during a church meeting on Thursday night has been identified as Robert Findlay Smith.
Police were called to the Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, after gunfire erupted at a potluck dinner.
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Smith, 70, who reportedly occasionally attended church services, has been charged with capital murder.
He remains in custody at Jefferson County Jail but no motive for the shooting has been released.
Reverend Doug Carpenter, who founded the church, said that another member of the church subdued the shooter by hitting him with a chair and wrestling the gun from him, according to local outlet .
“It was extremely critical in saving lives,’’ said Vestavia Hills Police Captain Shane Ware.
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“In my opinion, he’s a hero,” he added of the church member.
Walter Rainy, an 84-year-old man, died at the scene, while Sarah Yager, a 75-year-old female, died at the hospital.
The third victim has been identified as Jane Pounds, 84.
Court records obtained by AL.com showed that Smith was accused of multiple DUIs but did not have a criminal history involving violent crimes.
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In 2005, he was charged with possession of a handgun while intoxicated, but the charge was later dropped.
Public records show that Smith works out of his home as a licensed firearms dealer.
His business is called Original Magazines 2.
AL.com reports that Smith was known to police, who reportedly knew his address and the vehicle he drives.
GUNFIRE AT POTLUCK EVENT
The gunman, who came into the church at 6.22pm, interrupted a church event.
People were enjoying a "Boomer's potluck" when the gunfire erupted.
Smith was reportedly sitting alone at the event and refused an invitation from a longtime church member to come sit at a table, according to the teverend.
“At some point, he produced a concealed handgun and began shooting, striking the three victims,’’ the police captain said.
“The suspect has previously attended services at this church but as far as the motive behind this, it’s still being looked into by many agencies.
“It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to speculate.”
'SHOCKING AND TRAGIC'
Rev Kelley Hudlow, a priest at the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama, described the terrifying scene and aftermath.
"This happens in other places. You just don't think it's going to happen here in the Birmingham area," Hudlow said.
"And so it is shocking."
Hudlow also urged the community to come together during the difficult time.
"We're connected to a network of churches across the world," she said.
"And so we're getting messages from people from all over the United States and around the world, praying for this community tonight," Hudlow told .
Alabama Gov Kay Ivey denounced the shooting in a statement, calling it "shocking and tragic" while also saying that this shouldn't happen anywhere.
The reactions came as a heartbreaking photo showed a priest running from the scene as three people were gunned down.
On Thursday evening, a group held a prayer circle in the church's parking lot.
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"You are seeing healing, with those folks standing together," WBRC anchor Jonathan Hardison said.
The FBI, US Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives are assisting local agencies in the investigation.
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