Authorities said a gunman opened fire on a potluck dinner group at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama on Thursday, killing two and injuring another. Watch the latest update from law enforcement in the video above. Police said an 84-year-old Irondale man, Walter Rainey, died at the scene. A 75-year-old Pelham woman, Sarah Yeager, died at UAB Hospital. An 84-year-old Hoover woman was injured in the shooting and remains in the hospital.Vestavia Hills police said the suspect, a 71-year-old man, was an occasional attendee of the church. Police said he is being held in the city jail and is facing capital murder charges. Police said the man’s identity will be released once warrants are signed. Authorities believe he acted alone and there is no threat to the community. Authorities said the suspect was subdued by another churchgoer until officers arrived on scene to take him into custody.Vestavia Hills Mayor Ashley Curry issued the following statement Thursday night:“With the tragic news that has broken this evening, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the victims of this evening’s shooting at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. I would also like to offer thanks on behalf of myself and our Vestavia Hills residents to the first responders from all agencies who have worked tirelessly since this incident began.”Get the WVTM 13 app for the latest updates on this developing story.—POLICE UPDATESVHPD, 8:15 p.m. CST”Three persons at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church were shot. Two victims are at a local hospital being treated. Sadly, one victim has died from their injuries. Again, the suspect is in custody. There is no additional threat to the community. The VHPD would like to express our gratitude to the numerous local and federal agencies that are providing assistance to us.” VHPD, 7 p.m. CST”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. Multiple law enforcement agencies and fire departments responded to the scene. The VHPD confirms multiple people were shot. The suspect is in custody. The next press briefing will be at approximately 8 pm.”—’NEED A LOT OF LOVE’Rev. Kelley Hudlow with the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama spoke to WVTM 13 at the scene about the staff still at the church and the diverse religious community in the area. “We’re gonna need a lot of love,” Hudlow said. Watch the interview below.—REACTION Here are the latest statements from political leaders in the state:Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey“As we are learning about the shocking and tragic loss of a life at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia, we want to offer our prayers for the victim’s family, the injured and the entire church community. 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.”U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer”My staff and I are closely monitoring the situation in Vestavia Hills. Please be in prayer for those being treated in the hospital and for our community.”U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell”As we wait for additional details, I’m keeping those impacted by tonight’s tragic shooting at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in my prayers.”
Authorities said a gunman opened fire on a potluck dinner group at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama on Thursday, killing two and injuring another. Watch the latest update from law enforcement in the video above.
Police said an 84-year-old Irondale man, Walter Rainey, died at the scene. A 75-year-old Pelham woman, Sarah Yeager, died at UAB Hospital. An 84-year-old Hoover woman was injured in the shooting and remains in the hospital.
Vestavia Hills police said the suspect, a 71-year-old man, was an occasional attendee of the church. Police said he is being held in the city jail and is facing capital murder charges. Police said the man’s identity will be released once warrants are signed. Authorities believe he acted alone and there is no threat to the community.
Authorities said the suspect was subdued by another churchgoer until officers arrived on scene to take him into custody.
Vestavia Hills Mayor Ashley Curry issued the following statement Thursday night:
“With the tragic news that has broken this evening, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the victims of this evening’s shooting at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. I would also like to offer thanks on behalf of myself and our Vestavia Hills residents to the first responders from all agencies who have worked tirelessly since this incident began.”
Get the WVTM 13 app for the latest updates on this developing story.
—
POLICE UPDATES
VHPD, 8:15 p.m. CST
“Three persons at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church were shot. Two victims are at a local hospital being treated. Sadly, one victim has died from their injuries. Again, the suspect is in custody. There is no additional threat to the community. The VHPD would like to express our gratitude to the numerous local and federal agencies that are providing assistance to us.”
VHPD, 7 p.m. CST
“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. Multiple law enforcement agencies and fire departments responded to the scene. The VHPD confirms multiple people were shot. The suspect is in custody. The next press briefing will be at approximately 8 pm.”
—
‘NEED A LOT OF LOVE’
Rev. Kelley Hudlow with the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama spoke to WVTM 13 at the scene about the staff still at the church and the diverse religious community in the area. “We’re gonna need a lot of love,” Hudlow said. Watch the interview below.
—
REACTION
Here are the latest statements from political leaders in the state:
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey
“As we are learning about the shocking and tragic loss of a life at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia, we want to offer our prayers for the victim’s family, the injured and the entire church community. 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.”
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer
“My staff and I are closely monitoring the situation in Vestavia Hills. Please be in prayer for those being treated in the hospital and for our community.”
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell
“As we wait for additional details, I’m keeping those impacted by tonight’s tragic shooting at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in my prayers.”
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