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Deadly gun rampage in US church | Deadly gun rampage in US church |
(10 minutes later) | |
A man has opened fire in a church in the US state of Tennessee, killing two people and wounding seven others. | A man has opened fire in a church in the US state of Tennessee, killing two people and wounding seven others. |
A group of children were performing a play in a Unitarian church in Knoxville when the gunman fired a shotgun. | A group of children were performing a play in a Unitarian church in Knoxville when the gunman fired a shotgun. |
There were about 200 people in the church at the time of the shooting. All the victims were adults. | There were about 200 people in the church at the time of the shooting. All the victims were adults. |
Police say they have detained the gunman, who is believed to be in his 40s. He reportedly concealed his weapon in a guitar case. | Police say they have detained the gunman, who is believed to be in his 40s. He reportedly concealed his weapon in a guitar case. |
No information has so far been released about his identity or his possible motive. | No information has so far been released about his identity or his possible motive. |
But some have suggested the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church was targeted because it is very liberal - allowing gay ministers and marriages. | But some have suggested the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church was targeted because it is very liberal - allowing gay ministers and marriages. |
Church member, Steve Drevik: 'We are praying for everyone at the hospital' | |
One witness said the attacker had shouted "hateful words". | One witness said the attacker had shouted "hateful words". |
He took a 12-gauge shotgun and opened fire into the congregation, who were watching a performance by 25 children based on the musical, Annie. | He took a 12-gauge shotgun and opened fire into the congregation, who were watching a performance by 25 children based on the musical, Annie. |
People dived for cover under pews, but nine were hit before a group managed to tackle the gunman when he reloaded. | People dived for cover under pews, but nine were hit before a group managed to tackle the gunman when he reloaded. |
"It had barely begun when there was an incredibly loud bang," church member Mark Harmon told the Associated Press news agency. | "It had barely begun when there was an incredibly loud bang," church member Mark Harmon told the Associated Press news agency. |
Mr Harmon said people sitting just behind him in the second and third rows of the congregation were shot. | Mr Harmon said people sitting just behind him in the second and third rows of the congregation were shot. |
Police have named one of the two people killed as Greg McKendry, a 60-year-old usher at the church. The other, Linda Kreager, died of her injuries at a nearby hospital a few hours later. | Police have named one of the two people killed as Greg McKendry, a 60-year-old usher at the church. The other, Linda Kreager, died of her injuries at a nearby hospital a few hours later. |
Church member Barbara Kemper said that Mr McKendry had "stood in front of the gunman and took the blast to protect the rest of us". | Church member Barbara Kemper said that Mr McKendry had "stood in front of the gunman and took the blast to protect the rest of us". |
The deputy chief of Knoxville Police Department, Bill Roehl, called the attack "horrendous". | The deputy chief of Knoxville Police Department, Bill Roehl, called the attack "horrendous". |
"It's terrible that you come to church to do worship and something like this occurs," he said. | "It's terrible that you come to church to do worship and something like this occurs," he said. |
Did you witness this incident? Or do you live in the area? Send us your comments using the form below. | Did you witness this incident? Or do you live in the area? Send us your comments using the form below. |
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |