A 70-year-old man faces capital murder charges after allegedly gunning down three people at a church group meeting in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, Thursday night, authorities said.
The suspect, who occasionally attended Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church, was at a church event known as the “boomers potluck dinner” when he took out a handgun and opened fire, Vestavia Hills Police said at a news conference Friday.
Three people were fatally shot: an 84-year-old man who died at the scene, a 75-year-old woman, and an 84-year-old woman who later died at a hospital, police said.
A church member subdued the suspect until police arrived, which authorities said helped save lives.
The suspect, identified by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office as Robert Findlay Smith, was booked on capital murder charges and is being held in the Jefferson County Jail on no bond.
A motive is not clear, police said. Authorities said they believe the suspect acted alone.
The reverend’s wife, Ann Carpenter, told ABC News the suspect was at church most Sundays, adding that he “sat in the back” and “didn’t have much interaction with anybody.”
About 25 people were there at the time of the shooting, the Rev. Douglas Carpenter said.
Two of the slain victims have been identified: 84-year-old Walter Rainey and 75-year-old Sarah Yeager.
When asked if he ever thought a shooting could happen at his church, the reverend replied, “At Saint Stephen’s? Why not? It happens at peaceful places. That school that got shot up was a peaceful place. That grocery store was a peaceful place.”
Vestavia Hills Mayor Ashley Curry said the community, located about 7 miles outside of Birmingham, is “close-knit, resilient” and “loving.”
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church released a statement on Friday which spoke of how they are relying on their faith.
“This scripture speaks a fundamental truth that has broken our hearts open, more so in the last 24 hours than anyone could have imagined possible. Darkness is in this world. And yet, as a people of faith, we hold on to the truth that darkness does not have the final word—the light and love of God do,” the statement read.
The statement continued that St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church would gather on Sunday for worship during their normal service time of 8:00 a.m., 10:15 a.m., and 5:00 p.m. They will have full access to their building on Sunday.
“Over the past 24 hours, thousands of emails, phone calls, and text messages have been coming to Saint Stephen’s from all over the world, a reminder that we are deeply connected, supporting and walking with each other in faith,” the statement read.
