Vestavia Hills church shooting
The Vestavia Hills church shooting occurred on June 16, 2022 at 6:22 p.m. local time in Vestavia Hills, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama. A man entered the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and opened fire during a potluck meeting, which the church had previously advertised. Two people were killed at the scene, a third died later in hospital, and the suspect is subsequently in custody.[3][4][5] The suspect was a 70 year old Birmingham man named Robert Findlay Smith (born December 23, 1951),[6][2] a gun dealer.[7][8] On May 2, 2023, Smith pled guilty in the shooting and was sentenced to life without parole.[9]
Vestavia Hills church shooting | |
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Part of gun violence in the United States | |
Location of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama | |
Location | St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 3775 Crosshaven Drive Vestavia Hills, Alabama, U.S. |
Coordinates | 33°28′8.472″N 86°43′50.412″W |
Date | June 16, 2022 6:22 p.m. – c. 6:30 p.m. (UTC−06:00) |
Attack type | Shooting, homicide, triple-murder |
Weapons | Handgun[1] |
Deaths | 3 |
Perpetrator | Robert Findlay Smith[2] |
Verdict | Pleaded Guilty: Sentenced to life imprisonment without parole |
Convictions | Capital Murder x3 |
Victims
Reactions
Following the shooting, Alabama governor Kay Ivey issued a statement saying that the shooting is "shocking and tragic," adding that "this should never happen — in a church, in a store, in the city or anywhere."[11]
During a Sunday morning service on June 19, 2022, the church gathered to honor the members who were shot and killed during the shooting.[12]
References
- "Alabama church shooter gets life for killing 3 at 'Boomers Potluck'". NBC News. Archived from the original on July 29, 2023.
- Hernandez, Emily (June 18, 2022). "Police ID Suspect in Alabama Church Potluck Shooting as Robert Findlay Smith". The Daily Beast. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
- Reeves, Jay; Chandler, Kim (June 17, 2022). "Gunman kills 3 seniors over potluck dinner at Alabama church". AP NEWS. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
- Hanna, Jason (June 17, 2022). "A third victim has died after a shooting at Alabama church where the suspect was an occasional attendee". CNN. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
- Santucci, Jeanine (June 16, 2022). "2 killed, 1 injured in Alabama church shooting, authorities say; suspected shooter in custody". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- Robinson, Carol (June 17, 2022). "70-year-old man charged in Vestavia Hills church shooting that killed 3". Advance Local.
- Boniello, Kathianne (June 19, 2022). "Accused Alabama church shooter was gun dealer, had run afoul of ATF: report". New York Post. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
- Luperon, Alberto (June 19, 2022). "Defendant in Alabama Church Shooting Was Firearms Dealer Who Once Crossed Paths with Federal Authorities". Law & Crime. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
- Robinson, Carol (May 2, 2023). "St. Stephen's Episcopal Church shooter pleads guilty to murder of 3 at potluck supper". al.com. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
- "Suspect charged with capital murder after 3 people are dead in shooting at Vestavia Hills, Ala. church". WBRC. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
- Tanyos, Faris (June 17, 2022). "2 killed, 1 wounded in shooting at Alabama church; suspect in custody". CBS Interactive Inc. CBS News. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
- Nunnally, Diamond (June 19, 2022). ""They modeled unconditional love" : St. Stephen's Episcopal Church honor shooting victims". WBMA. Retrieved June 20, 2022.