Tragedy at Tenn. Unitarian Universalist Church

Filed Under Crime, Religion | July 28th, 2008 

On Sunday, July 27th, a gunman entered a Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville,Tennessee and shot two people dead in addition to injuring at least seven others who were there to see a children’s production of “Annie”.

The gunman, Jim Adkisson, was tackled by members of the congregation and eventually arrested and taken into police custody. Adkisson has been charged with murder and is being held on a million dollar bail.

Unitarian Universalist church’s welcome LGBT people and its being said that Adkisson chose this church for his killing spree because of their ‘liberal views’.

Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force issued a statement today: “We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of those whose lives were lost yesterday and wish a full recovery to those who were injured. This attack is tragic, abominable and senseless. We pray and hope for comfort to the families of the victims and to the congregants of this welcoming church. Our deepest sympathies are with everyone affected by this terrible event. We condemn any crime motivated by hate or bias.”

Video coverage from the AP: 2 Dead, 7 Injured After Tenn. Church Shooting

Related AP news coverage: Police: Man shot churchgoers over liberal views