Vestavia Hills church shooting: One dead and two injured in Alabama

According to the authorities, three people were shot at a church in Vestavia Hills on Thursday evening, with one of them losing their life. At around 6:22 p.m., police were summoned to the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church located at 3775 Crosshaven Drive in response to an active shooter situation. The two victims who managed to escape the scene are both in critical condition and are being cared for at the UAB Hospital. The suspected shooter is in custody. “We know of no additional threat to either the community of Vestavia Hills or our neighboring community of Mountain Brook,” said Vestavia Hills police Capt. Shane Ware. 

The identities of the victims have not been made public. According to Ware, numerous law enforcement and fire departments, including the sheriff's offices of Mountain Brook, Hoover, Jefferson County, and Shelby County, as well as the FBI, ATF, and the United States Marshals Service, responded to the scene. Rocky Ridge fire was also among the responding departments.

The occurrence took place at the church during a "Boomers Potluck" luncheon that started at five o'clock in the evening. "At approximately 6:22 PM Central Time the Vestavia Hills Police Department responded to Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church located at 3775 Crosshaven Drive Vestavia Hills, AL on a call of an active shooter," the Vestavia Hills Police Department said in a statement prior to the brief press conference.

"Multiple law enforcement agencies and fire departments responded to the scene. The VHPD confirms multiple people were shot. The suspect is in custody. The next press briefing will be at approximately 8 pm," the department continued.

The local inhabitants have been warned by the police to stay away from the area while they do their investigation.