Cops: Gunman Shoots Girlfriend, Infant, Pastor in Alabama Church
An Alabama man was arrested for three counts of attempted murder today after authorities say he opened fire in a church in Selma, Alabama, injuring his girlfriend, their newborn child and a clergyman that attempted to stop him, NBC News reports.
In a statement, police said the shooting began Sunday morning when 26-year-old James Junior Minter took a seat between his girlfriend and their baby during services at Oasis Tabernacle Church. From the AP:
Minter then pulled out a handgun and started shooting, the statement said. The girlfriend fell to the ground, and Minter fired at her, striking her in the jaw and shoulder. The baby, a 1-month-old boy, was shot in the hand.
The church’s pastor then grabbed Minter and was shot in the leg. Members of the congregation helped subdue Minter and managed to wrest away his gun, according to police. Minter then ran out of the church.
All three victims were then taken to nearby hospitals, where they are reportedly in stable condition.
Mitner was later captured by police less than a mile away from the scene of the shooting. According to the Selma Times-Journal, authorities say the shooting was motivated by domestic issues that may have involved visitation rights to the child.
[Image via Selma Police Department]