Vestavia Hills church shooting

The Vestavia Hills church shooting occurred on June 16, 2022 at 6:22 p.m. local time in Vestavia Hills, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama. A man entered the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and opened fire during a potluck meeting, which the church had previously advertised. Two people were killed at the scene, a third died later in hospital, and the suspect is subsequently in custody.[3][4][5] The suspect was a 70 year old Birmingham man named Robert Findlay Smith (born December 23, 1951),[6][2] a gun dealer.[7][8] On May 2, 2023, Smith pled guilty in the shooting and was sentenced to life without parole.[9]

Vestavia Hills church shooting
Part of mass shootings in the United States
Location of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama
LocationSt. Stephen's Episcopal Church,
3775 Crosshaven Drive
Vestavia Hills, Alabama, U.S.
Coordinates33°28′8.472″N 86°43′50.412″W
DateJune 16, 2022 (2022-06-16)
6:22 p.m. – c. 6:30 p.m. (UTC−06:00)
Attack type
Shooting, homicide, triple-murder
WeaponsHandgun[1]
Deaths3
PerpetratorRobert Findlay Smith[2]
VerdictPleaded Guilty: Sentenced to life imprisonment without parole
ConvictionsCapital Murder x3

Victims
  • Sarah Yeager, 75[10]
  • Walter Rainey, 84[10]
  • Jane Pounds, 84, initially reported injured, died at a local hospital. Her family requested that her name be withheld, but it was made public by the press.[11][12]

Reactions

Following the shooting, Alabama governor Kay Ivey issued a statement saying that the shooting is "shocking and tragic," adding that "this should never happen — in a church, in a store, in the city or anywhere."[13]

During a Sunday morning service on June 19, 2022, the church gathered to honor the members who were shot and killed during the shooting.[14]

See also

References
  1. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/alabama-church-shooter-gets-life-killing-3-boomers-potluck-rcna82617
  2. Hernandez, Emily (June 18, 2022). "Police ID Suspect in Alabama Church Potluck Shooting as Robert Findlay Smith". The Daily Beast. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  3. "Gunman kills 3 seniors over potluck dinner at Alabama church". AP NEWS. June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  4. Jason Hanna. "A third victim has died after a shooting at Alabama church where the suspect was an occasional attendee". CNN. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  5. Suspect in custody after deadly Alabama church shooting, retrieved June 18, 2022
  6. "70-year-old man charged in Vestavia Hills church shooting that killed 3". June 17, 2022.
  7. "Accused Alabama church shooter was gun dealer, had run afoul of ATF: report". New York Post. June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  8. "Defendant in Alabama Church Shooting Was Firearms Dealer Who Once Crossed Paths with Federal Authorities". Law & Crime. June 19, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  9. "St. Stephen's Episcopal Church shooter pleads guilty to murder of 3 at potluck supper". al.com. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  10. "Gunman kills 3 seniors over potluck dinner at Alabama church". AP NEWS. June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  11. Jason Hanna. "A third victim has died after a shooting at Alabama church where the suspect was an occasional attendee". CNN. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  12. WBRC Staff. "Suspect charged with capital murder after 3 people are dead in shooting at Vestavia Hills, Ala. church". WBRC. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  13. Tanyos, Faris (June 17, 2022). "2 killed, 1 wounded in shooting at Alabama church; suspect in custody". CBS Interactive Inc. CBS News. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  14. Nunnally, Diamond (June 19, 2022). ""They modeled unconditional love" : St. Stephen's Episcopal Church honor shooting victims". WBMA. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.