The death toll in the Alabama church shooting has risen to two after one of the victims succumbed to their injuries.
On Thursday evening at around 6.20 pm, a gunman opened fire at St Stephen’s Episcopal in Birmingham, Vestavia Hills, and shot at least three people.
While only one of the victims was originally pronounced dead, we can now confirm that the death toll has since risen to two.
The third victim is being treated in a hospital for an “unknown” injury.
The church shooting in the otherwise peaceful community took place during the ‘Boomers Potluck’ event. The gathering was supposed to bring residents together and allow them to have a good time eating and sharing food.
“There will be no program, simply eat and have time for fellowship,” the description of the program read.
Unfortunately, the gathering was tarnished by a gunman who has yet to be named and pictured. As Vestavia Hills Police Captain Shane Ware confirmed, the suspect remains in custody.
“At approximately 6:22 PM Central Time the Vestavia Hills Police Department responded to Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church located at 3775 Crosshaven Drive Vestavia Hills, AL on a call of an active shooter,” the police revealed in an online statement.
Multiple law enforcement agencies and fire departments responded to the scene. “The VHPD confirms multiple people were shot. The suspect is in custody.”
Following the ordeal, Reverend Kelley Hudlow of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama spoke out and called on people to come together through prayers and thoughts.
“There were folks at church. There has been a shooting, and there are folks that have been injured,” she said in an interview.
“We are praying for healing and safety for all of those who have been impacted and affected. We are praying for everyone involved and we are trying to get as much information about what happened as we can get.”
Speaking out was also Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey who blasted the incident and confirmed the investigation is ongoing.
“I am glad to hear the shooter is in custody. This should never happen — in a church, in a store, in the city, or anywhere. We continue to closely monitor the situation,” she said.
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