1 Dead, 1 Wounded In Shooting At Nevada Mormon Church
A suspect was arrested on Sunday after a shooting at a Mormon church in Fallon, Nevada, leaving one dead and one wounded, according to Fox News.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse held as many as 50 people on Sunday when the shooting began, according to a spokeswoman for the City of Fallon, which is located almost 60 miles east of Reno, Nevada.
A grim press conference was held Sunday evening, in attendance was Fallon Police Chief Kevin Gehman and Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford, and some details of the deadly shooting were revealed to the press.
KOLO-TV reported that John Kelley O’Connor, 48, allegedly walked into the church just before 1 p.m. and began firing shots. After doing so, O’Connor walked home, Gehman said. Authorities called the home asking the shooter to surrender and he eventually did. One parishioner was injured and taken to the hospital; the other was pronounced dead.
“It’s really too early to understand the motive,” Gehman said. “It does not appear to be an attack on the church, which held as many as 50 people, but a person.”
The man killed in the shooting was identified as 61-year-old Charles E. Miller known to the Fallon community as “Burt.” The town said Miller was a 35-year veteran of the Fallon/Churchill Volunteer Fire Department.
The other shooting victim was treated at the hospital but soon released.
“Our hearts go out to family members of those who have lost someone and those who were in the church today when tragedy occurred,” Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford said.
The suspect was arrested and is now in custody, according to Gehman. Adding the shooter was a member of the church and was attending services before the shooting.
The second victim sustained a non-life-threatening leg injury and is in the hospital. Republican Senator Dean Heller sent a tweet of condolence stating his prayers for loved ones, churchgoers the community.
Deeply saddened by the act of senseless violence in Fallon today at the LDS church. We are in contact with Mayor Tedford and other officials. My family and I are praying for all loved ones, churchgoers, and community members impacted by this tragedy.
— Dean Heller (@SenDeanHeller) July 22, 2018
Nevada’s other senator, Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto also shared her condolences on Twitter.
“Devastated by the horrific news of the fatal shooting at the LDS church in Fallon. Thank you to the first responders on the scene. My heart goes out to all of those impacted. Places of worship should be a safe haven. The gun violence across this country must end.”
Police said Monday, they searched the suspect’s home across the street from the church and found a handgun which matches the description of the weapon used in the shooting.
O’Connor has been formally charged with Murder as well as Battery with Substantial Harm on Monday according to Fox 13. Police said he is being held in jail without bail, which was initially set at $1,050,000.
