A man is in custody after allegedly fatally shooting a man and wounding another person at a Mormon church in Nevada, police say.
The gunman killed Charles E. Miller, known to Fallon residents as « Bert, » and injured another person before walking home, police said.
« City of Fallon Police Officers and Churchill County Sheriff’s Deputies surrounded the home while a hostage negotiator was called to the scene. After placing phone calls to the home, O’Connor agreed to exit the property and surrender to officers, » the statement said.
‘Does not appear… directed at the church’
« It is too early to understand the motive, but initially, it does not appear to have been directed at the church, but an individual victim, » the statement said.
O’Connor was being held at the Churchill County Jail and has yet to be formally charged, police said later Sunday.
The second shooting victim was treated at a hospital and later released.
At least 50 people witnessed the shooting inside the church, Fallon Chief of Police Kevin Gehman told a news conference. He said the gun believed to be used was a mid-size caliber handgun.
Police had « contacts » with O’Connor in the past but « nothing that would rise to this level, » Gehman said.
Both Nevada’s senators tweeted their condolences to the shooting victims.
Republican Sen. Dean Heller described the tragedy as « senseless. »
« 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, » he said.
Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto called for an end to gun violence.
« Devastated by the horrific news of the fatal shooting at the LDS church in Fallon. Thank you to the first responders on the scene, » she tweeted. « 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. »
