Man opens fire inside Knoxville church; at least six people shot

WBIR.com ^ | 7/27/2008 | Katie Allison Granju

[2nd amendment mama]

11:29 am

Steve Drevik says the suspect isn't believed to have any connection to the church.

11:19 am

Steve Drevik, a member of the TVUU Church spoke to media outside the church building, where media are assembled.

He says the suspect is now in custody.

Drevik says the shooting happened during a regular service, as children of the church were performing music from Annie for parishioners.

A man with long blond hair, who appeared to be in his 40s, walked into the sanctuary and opened fiire with a shotgun, shooting indiscriminately.

At least six or seven people were hit by the gunfire. They have been transported to UT Medical Center. Two are believed to be in serious condition.

No children are believed to have been hit by the gunfire.

Some of the children were taken next door to Second Presbyterian Church for shelter.

Numerous KPD officers are on the scene.

11:00 am

Multiple people have suffered gunshot wounds in what witnesses describe as a mass shooting inside a church in West Knoxville Sunday morning.

The shootings happened at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church on Kingston Pike.

A witness who spoke to 10 News said police had arrived and one person was being detained at the scene.

A children's production of "Annie" was taking place as part of the normal Sunday service at the time of the shooting, the witness, who is a member of the church, said. The gunman walked into a packed sanctuary and opened fire.

The number of people shot and the extent of their injuries has not been confirmed, but the witness said he saw at least five people shot.

Church members heard a loud boom during the church service, which began around 10:15 a.m., the witness said. Several other loud booms followed, and the witness said the gunman seemed to be shooting randomly across a row of people. Two congregants tackled the gunman, he said.

Many people fled to the Second Presbyterian Church after the shooting, and that church was placed on lockdown, according to a 10 News crew at the scene. People have since been allowed to return to the Unitarian church building, where police are questioning witnesses.

Stay with WBIR for the very latest on this rapidly developing story.

[cva66snipe]

I agree with what you're saying with only one exception and that is someone who is trully bonified and certified lifelong mentally ill. For that there is a state facility about two miles from that church which used to keep such away from society.

There is hope. In Knox County he will likely face a tough jury. On the downside there are a couple of Knoxville area defense lawyers who will make this yet another showcase circus and a career of his defense for years on end as well. I won't mention names but one is in trouble up around your way.

[beef]

I went to a Unitarian church once. I am not a religious person, but it struck me as completely devoid of any concept of God. It was just a bunch of liberals with nothing better to do on a Sunday morning.

I agree with everyone that this was a terrible act. But for those of you who do not want to drag religion into this, just wait. If the shooter is found to be a member of a Christian denomination, especially a conservative one, the MSM will instantly turn this into a direct attack by that denomination on the Unitarians.

[AliVeritas]

“We don’t know this particular individual. We may never know why,” Drevik said. “All of this will come out in the next couple of days.”

????

Good old CNN, that’s what they think, i’ll call down and get the guys name myself.

I have ways.

[cva66snipe]

If the shooter is found to be a member of a Christian denomination, especially a conservative one, the MSM will instantly turn this into a direct attack by that denomination on the Unitarians.

That dog won't hunt here. The churches in East Tennessee have a long history of pulling together especially when one is in trouble. For example if one church burns you'll see another one offering them worship space. There's no denomination fights here. None for over 100 years have been purposely singled out and harassed by another as far as I know. A preacher might speak against another denomination in the pulpit that is as far as it goes. The area is highly diverse and most of us have multiple denominations in the immediate family.

[rwfromkansas]

I hope the person who was killed found faith in Christ.

Unitarian Us are not Christians and do not even proclaim to be, but this is really sad......

Why would somebody murder people of any faith?

[mathluv]

LOL!!!!

If the big o is elected, and more dims are in congress, that really might happen.

Prayers for the families.

[rwfromkansas]

they don’t even say they are Christians...church is just the name of their building. Doesn’t make it right though of course to shoot them up.

[lastchance]

Prayers for the victims and their families.

[Grammy]

Mr G and I were talking after we heard of the shooting. He believes that churches, schools and malls are the most dangerous places to be now.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Read about it here.

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=61322&catid=2

[AliVeritas]

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=61322&catid=2

[JRandomFreeper]

I'm pulling external security for my neighbor, that happens to be a church that I won't go to because I disagree with their theology. But I am willing to watch the parking lot with a 12 gauge in my lap.

/johnny

[AliVeritas]

Second church victim dead via WBIR.

[El Gato]

Could have even been a break down single shot I hope not though.That would mean at least 5 chances to disarm him. Six people shot and if I read right more shot at. Now even with the plug out most hold what? 5 shells? Meaning he had time to do a reload too most likely. In close quarters the shot would not scatter that much.

Probably not break action. They would have tackled him sooner. A pump with a 20" barrel be 8 shots without reloading, IIRC. Even the 18.5" Mossberg Cruiser model holds 6 rounds, including the one in the chamber. Of course after reloading you either have to top off the magazine or live with one less round on that go around.

Considering we are talking a shotgun here, in a largish room, he could easily have shot them all before reloading, even with the 6 shot model.

[girlangler]

Just saw on TV a second person has died from the shooting today at the church. A woman.

I agree Grammy and Mr. G, unfortunately, these places are dangerous now. Did you see this thread (below).

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2052249/posts

I apologize for not freepmailing you yet. Me and Mom are both beat from this trip, emotionally as well as physically. It was so hard to leave my aunt, her crying for us not to leave and knowing it will probably be the last time we’ll see her. Plus, I am catching up here on my poor neglected garden.

I have a LOT to tell you when I do freepmail you. I was planning on hitting the bed here early tonight, but wanted to post this update on the shooting today.

[girlangler]

See post 115 ping.

A second shooting victim has died, a woman.

[Theo]

Not technically a “church” — more of a social organization.

That said, of course, this shooting is wrong and it’s good that the guy was stopped.

[Poser]

Nice to see some hippies with the grapes to tackle the perp. I believe they do have a death penalty in Tennessee. He should get it.

[cva66snipe]

If one witnesses shot count is accurateand under the circumstances that's questionable for obvious reasons, I'd bet on a sawed off. Close in you can do major carnage to multiple persons with one shot. Obviously that was his intentions.

I drove by that church last week. If I remember right it was about medium size maybe capable of holding a couple hundred in the main part. It was likely another denomination church before but I can't recall which one. Generally I avoid that road as it's a pain to drive through. Narrow 4 lane very high traffic. But I had to get from the football stadium at the university audiology department to another location down on Kingston Pike.

I used to keep a 20 gauge broke down in my van in the summer months. It was my snake gun. I could pop it together in seconds. Now if a person wants to get sarcastic about gun laws {if only the 3 shell law had still been in effect in Tennessee} Of course I don't mean it I just remember that law. It took decades to finally get that one off the books.

[RonDog]

From www.NECN.com:

TN church gunman held on $1 million bond

(NECN) - After killing two and injuring 7 in a Tennessee church shooting, Jim D. Adkisson, 58, is being charged with first degree murder.

He is held Sunday night on one-million dollar bond.

Linda Kreager, 61, died at the University of Tennessee Medical Center a few hours after the shooting.

The man who initially passed away was identified as Greg McKendry, 60, a longtime church member and usher.

For the reaction of Knoxville Deputy Police Chief Bill Roehl, click here.

For the full story as reported by ABC's John Hendren, click here.