Police Arrest 2 Men in Connection with Shooting of Latter-Day Saints Missionary in Alabama
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Updated
Dec 20, 2021
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Police have arrested two men in connection with the shooting of a Latter-day Saints missionary at a church in Alabama.
According to The Christian Post, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office announced this week that officers arrested Courtney Lee Knight, 18, and charged him with the attempted murder of 18-year-old Mormon missionary Elder Michael Fauber.
Police also arrested Cornelius Omar-James Knight, 22. He is charged with hindering prosecution during the investigation. He is being held in Jefferson County Jail on a $15,000 bond.
Meanwhile, Courtney is being held in a Birmingham jail on a $60,000 bond.
“Our detectives worked tirelessly to develop the information from what initially seemed to be a needle in a haystack,” stated the Sheriff’s Office.
“Through collaborative efforts with the U.S. Marshal’s Service, the community and other law enforcement agencies, they were able to solve this unwarranted attack on a blameless person. Our agency is extremely proud of the efforts by all those involved in helping to bring this case to a close.”
On December 3, Fauber was in the Birmingham Stake Center in Vestavia Hills with two other missionaries and a “group of people interested in learning more about the church,” Latter-day Saints spokesperson Sam Penrod said in a statement.
That evening an unknown individual entered the building, played a few basketball games with the youth group, and then opened fire on the group before running away.
“This was the first time they’ve seen him at this location,” Deputy Chief David Agee told AL.com, noting that no one else there was familiar with the shooter.
Fauber was struck by five bullets and seriously wounded. He was transported to UAB Hospital in Birmingham, where he underwent surgery and is reportedly in stable condition.
“Please pray for our good friend and my missionary companion Elder Michael Fauber!! There was a shooting that occurred last night, and as a result, Elder Fauber was shot multiple times,” Latter-day Saint missionary Carson Votava wrote in a Facebook post on December 4.
Related:
18-Year-Old Missionary Shot in Birmingham Latter-Day Saints Church
Photo courtesy: Pixabay
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
