One Killed, Several Injured in Tennessee Church Shooting
- Updated Sep 28, 2017
One person has been killed and several have been injured in a shooting that took place in a Tennessee church on Sunday.
According to CBN News, the FBI is currently investigating the attack. Police are holding the suspect, 25-year-old Emanuel Kidega Samson, a legal resident of the U.S. originally from Sudan, in custody.
Samson reportedly attended Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch, Tennessee, outside of Nashville, several years before the shooting. He pulled into the church’s parking lot as Sunday service was ending and fatally shot 39-year-old church attendee Melanie Smith. He then entered the church and opened fire with two pistols.
Samson injured six people, as well as himself. Samson, as well as those he wounded, were taken to the hospital for treatment. Samson was later released into police custody.
Among those injured in the shooting were Chapel Church pastor Joey Spann, as well as church usher Robert Engle. Witnesses called Engle a hero. He is “an extraordinarily brave individual,” said Minerva Rosa, a church member. “Without him, I think it could be worse,” she added.
Samson is currently being charged with one count of murder and Nashville police have said that “additional charges will be placed later.”
Samson reportedly posted odd messages to Facebook prior to the shooting. “Everything you've ever doubted or made to be believe as false, is real. & vice versa, B,” read one message. "Become the creator instead of what's created. Whatever you say, goes,” read another.
The FBI has opened an investigation into the case and has issued a statement saying, "The FBI will collect all available facts and evidence. As this is an ongoing investigation we are not able to comment further at this time."
Photo: Law enforcement continues their investigation around the Burnette Chapel Church of Christ on September 24, 2017 in Antioch, Tennessee. One person was killed and seven were wounded when a gunman opened fire in the church.
Photo courtesy: Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images
Publication date: September 25, 2017
