Two people were killed and one person was injured in a shooting Thursday evening in Alabama, according to authorities.
The shooting took place at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills at 6:22 p.m. local time during a “Boomers Potluck” dinner at the church. Authorities apprehended the suspect, police said, though a motive for the shooting was not immediately clear.
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“The suspect involved in this event is in custody,” Vestavia Hills Police Capt. Shane Ware said Thursday evening, per Fox News. “We know of no immediate threat to either the community of Vestavia Hills or the neighboring community of Mountain Brook.”
After the shooting, two people were brought to a nearby hospital for treatment, but one subsequently died, police said. Authorities believe the suspect acted alone. Few other details were given.
“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 Vestavia Hills Police Department said in a statement prior to a brief press conference.
“Multiple law enforcement agencies and fire departments responded to the scene. The VHPD confirms multiple people were shot. The suspect is in custody,” the department continued.
Members of the community were seen gathering outside the church in prayer Thursday night in response to the shooting, WBRC reported. Police plan to hold another press conference Friday morning.
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Gov. Kay lvey (R) offered her condolences to the victims and their families.
“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,” she said. “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.”
