This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/24/us/church-shooting-tennessee.html

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Church Shooting in Tennessee Leaves One Dead and Seven Wounded Church Shooting in Tennessee Leaves One Dead and Seven Wounded
(35 minutes later)
One person was killed and seven others were wounded after a gunman opened fire on Sunday at a church in Antioch, Tenn., near Nashville, officials said. The police said the gunman, who shot himself, was in custody.One person was killed and seven others were wounded after a gunman opened fire on Sunday at a church in Antioch, Tenn., near Nashville, officials said. The police said the gunman, who shot himself, was in custody.
Robert Engle, an usher at the church, the Burnette Chapel Church of Christ, was pistol-whipped when he confronted the gunman. About 50 people were in the church at the time of the shooting, which was reported at 11:15 a.m. local time as services were ending, the police said. Robert Engle, an usher at the church, the Burnette Chapel Church of Christ, was pistol-whipped when he confronted the gunman.
Mr. Engle, 22, then ran to his car, got his gun and returned to ensure “the gunman didn’t make any more movements until police arrived,” Don Aaron, a police spokesman, said at a news conference. The usher, described by the police as an “extraordinarily brave individual,” sustained a “significant injury” to his head, Mr. Aaron said.Mr. Engle, 22, then ran to his car, got his gun and returned to ensure “the gunman didn’t make any more movements until police arrived,” Don Aaron, a police spokesman, said at a news conference. The usher, described by the police as an “extraordinarily brave individual,” sustained a “significant injury” to his head, Mr. Aaron said.
Chief Steve Anderson of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said Mr. Engle’s actions helped end the shooting.Chief Steve Anderson of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said Mr. Engle’s actions helped end the shooting.
“He’s the hero,” Chief Anderson said at a news conference. “He’s the person that stopped this madness, and we’re very, very grateful to him.”“He’s the hero,” Chief Anderson said at a news conference. “He’s the person that stopped this madness, and we’re very, very grateful to him.”
The gunman was identified as Emanuel K. Samson, 25, of Rutherford County, Tenn. Shortly after 4 p.m. local time, the police announced he was released from the hospital and would be charged with murder and attempted murder.The gunman was identified as Emanuel K. Samson, 25, of Rutherford County, Tenn. Shortly after 4 p.m. local time, the police announced he was released from the hospital and would be charged with murder and attempted murder.
Additionally, the Justice Department, the F.B.I. and the United States attorney’s office for the Middle District of Tennessee have opened a civil rights investigation into the shooting. No further details about the investigation were available on Sunday. The Justice Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee have opened a civil rights investigation into the shooting.
Mr. Samson, a legal resident of the United States who immigrated from Sudan in the 1990s, had attended the church a year or two ago, the police said, but his motive in the shooting was unclear. No one answered the phone at two numbers associated with his address.Mr. Samson, a legal resident of the United States who immigrated from Sudan in the 1990s, had attended the church a year or two ago, the police said, but his motive in the shooting was unclear. No one answered the phone at two numbers associated with his address.
Less than an hour before the shooting, three cryptic posts were made in quick succession on a Facebook page associated with Mr. Samson.
“You are more than what they told us,” read one posted at 10:18 a.m.
Four minutes later: “Become the creator instead of what’s created. Whatever you say, goes.”
And finally, at 10:26: “Everything you’ve ever doubted or made to be believe as false, is real. & vice versa, B.”
Mr. Samson pulled up to the church in a blue sport utility vehicle that he left running. He was wearing a neoprene mask similar to what a skier would wear, Mr. Aaron said. Because of the mask, churchgoers did not immediately recognize him even though he had previously attended services there, the police said.Mr. Samson pulled up to the church in a blue sport utility vehicle that he left running. He was wearing a neoprene mask similar to what a skier would wear, Mr. Aaron said. Because of the mask, churchgoers did not immediately recognize him even though he had previously attended services there, the police said.
He was carrying two guns, but it was not clear if he fired both, officials said.He was carrying two guns, but it was not clear if he fired both, officials said.
About 50 people were in the church at the time of the shooting, which was reported at 11:15 a.m. as services were ending, Mr. Aaron said. In a welcome message on its website, the church describes itself as “a friendly, Bible-based group of folks who love the Lord and are interested in spreading his word to those who are lost.”
The person killed was Melanie Smith, 39, of Smyrna, Tenn., the police said. The other victims were identified as Joey Spann, the church’s minister; Peggy Spann, 65, his wife; William Jenkins, 83; Marlene Jenkins, 84; Linda Bush, 68; and Katherine Dickerson, 64. All were in stable condition except for Mr. Spann, who was in critical condition.
A man who lives near the church said people had come to his home looking for help, so he headed over. He told the television station WKRN that by the time he arrived, the gunman had shot a woman in the back in the parking lot, and “then he turned around, and rolled her over and shot her in the face.”A man who lives near the church said people had come to his home looking for help, so he headed over. He told the television station WKRN that by the time he arrived, the gunman had shot a woman in the back in the parking lot, and “then he turned around, and rolled her over and shot her in the face.”
“Then he went through the church, and he knocked one older man off a walker on the floor,” he added.“Then he went through the church, and he knocked one older man off a walker on the floor,” he added.
The person killed was Melanie Smith, 39, of Smyrna, Tenn., the police said. The other victims were identified as Joey Spann, the church’s minister; Peggy Spann, 65, his wife; William Jenkins, 83; Marlene Jenkins, 84; Linda Bush, 68; and Katherine Dickerson, 64. All were in stable condition except for Mr. Spann, who was in critical condition.
Mayor Megan Barry of Nashville said in a statement that the shooting was a “terrible tragedy.”Mayor Megan Barry of Nashville said in a statement that the shooting was a “terrible tragedy.”
“My heart aches for the family and friends of the deceased as well as for the wounded victims and their loved ones,” she said. “Their lives have been forever changed, as has the life of their faith community at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ.”“My heart aches for the family and friends of the deceased as well as for the wounded victims and their loved ones,” she said. “Their lives have been forever changed, as has the life of their faith community at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ.”
In a welcome message on its website, the church described itself as “a friendly, Bible-based group of folks who love the Lord and are interested in spreading his word to those who are lost.”