Gunman opens fire at US church, killing pastor 3-8-2009 illinois

Published 8 months ago

A suicidal gunman shot and killed a pastor in an Illinois church on Sunday morning before pulling out a knife and stabbing himself when the gun jammed, police said. "Some parishioners tackled him and held him on the floor," Illinois... more

A suicidal gunman shot and killed a pastor in an Illinois church on Sunday morning before pulling out a knife and stabbing himself when the gun jammed, police said. "Some parishioners tackled him and held him on the floor," Illinois state police spokesman Ralph Timmins said. "Two subjects received knife injuries during the restriction of the subject and were treated at hospital." Those injuries were not life-threatening, Timmins said. Police have not yet determined what relationship, if any, the gunman had to the pastor. He was not an active member of the church and does not appear to have a criminal record or history of mental illness. The gunman, who has not been identified, walked down the center aisle of First Baptist Church in Maryville, Illinois at about 8:15 am (1315 GMT.) He exchanged a few words with head pastor Fred Winters and then fired four shots with a .45 caliber handgun. less

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