Alabama church shooting leaves two people dead, one other wounded; suspect in custody

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A gunman is in custody after opening fire at a Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, around 6:20 p.m. on Thursday evening, leaving two people dead and one other wounded.

The shooting happened at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, which was hosting a "Boomer Potluck" in the Parish Hall from 5-7 p.m., according to a schedule on the Church's website. 

Two people were killed and one injured when a gunman opened fire at a church in Alabama on Thursday, June 16, 2022. (Fox 6 WBRC)

Police said a lone gunman entered the church and opened fire. Initially, one person was pronounced dead and two others were rushed to a local hospital for treatment. In an update late Thursday night, authorities said that one of the two people who survived the shooting had died of their injures.

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Police investigate after a gunman opened fire at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. (Fox 6 WBRC)

"The suspect involved in this event is in custody," Vestavia Hills Police Department Capt. Shane Ware said at the scene. "We know of no immediate threat to either the community of Vestavia Hills or the neighboring community of Mountain Brook."

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Vestavia Hills is a suburb of Birmingham in central Alabama. 

St. Stephens Episcopal Church was hosting a "boomer potluck" dinner at the time of the shooting, according to the church's website.  (Google Maps)

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Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey released a statement following the shooting, writing:

"As we are learning about the shocking and tragic loss of a life at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Vestavia, we want to offer our prayers for the victim's family, the injured and the entire church community. I am glad to hear the shooter is in custody. This should never happen - in a church, in a store, in the city or anywhere."

The victims and the suspect have not yet been identified.