Shooting at Tennessee Church Sunday Leaves One Dead
- By C Barnett --
- 26 Sep 2017 --
A Sudanese immigrant has been indicted
Emanuel Kidega Samson, an immigrant from Sudan, wore a ski mask while storming into the Burnette Chapel Church[/tweetit] of Christ shooting a total of seven individuals. The pastor of the church was also shot. He was subdued by Robert “Caleb” Engle, the church's 22-year-old usher. The shooter is at present in police custody after accidentally shooting himself. Samson lives legally in the United States. He came from Sudan more than 10 years ago, in 1996.
Shooting at Tennessee Church Sunday Leaves One Dead[/tweetthis]
Authorities reported the ordeal started around 11 in the morning as Sunday services at the Church was coming to an end. According to law enforcement, Samson came to the church driving a blue colored SUV. He left the vehicle idling and came out carrying two pistols, his face covered halfway by a ski mask. His first fatality was Melanie Smith, a mother of two children. The 39-year-old was shot by Samson.
The shooter then got into the church via the building's rear door. He shot and wounded about six churchgoers. A church usher was pistol-whipped, resulting in serious injuries. Samson was finally stopped in his deadly tracks by Engle, who made Samson injured by a shot from his own gun. Engle then quickly ran to his own car. He retrieved his own handgun and ran back to the church. The gunman stayed inactive while the police arrived at the scene.
>Emanuel Kidega Samson
A black man guns down a white church.
Will this be called what it is? A racially based hate crime. https://t.co/kNByARmy04
— Erika Ovenguard (@fidgetfeminism) September 24, 2017
The authorities declined to cite any motive for the attack in Antioch. However, the Nashville U.S. Attorney's Office, in its statement, said that an investigation has been opened in the light of federal civil rights. David W. Boling, spokesperson, U.S. Attorney's Office said, “The FBI will collect all available facts and evidence.” The six survivors are aged between 60 years and 83 years. Among the injured were Joey Spann the pastor, and Peggy, the wife. The pastor is 60 years old and his wife 65 years.
According to the police, Samson was moved to a hospital. He was treated for a single gunshot wound to the chest. The gunman was then released from the hospital. It is expected that he will be presented in front of a judge after a few days. Nashville has a thriving and vibrant Sudanese community. The town's churches frequently help refugees.
Resources
RELATED NEWS
