Alabama Church Shooting Domestic, Not Racial

EAST SELMA, Ala. (AP) — A man suspected of shooting three people in an Alabama church was likely upset over a recent breakup and visitation issues with his son, police said.

James Junior Minter, 26, is being held without bond in the shooting of his girlfriend, his infant son and a pastor who tried to intervene Sunday morning, according to Selma police Lt. Curtis Muhannad. The pastor has been identified as Earl Carswell.

Minter was arrested after he opened fire during church service at Oasis Tabernacle Church in East Selma, Alabama.

Witnesses told police that Minter entered the church and sat in the front row between his girlfriend and the baby, according to a statement released by the Selma Police Department. Minter then pulled out a handgun and started shooting, the statement said. The girlfriend, 24, fell to the ground, and Minter fired at her, striking her in the jaw and shoulder. The baby, a 1-month-old boy, was shot in the hand.

Carswell, 61, then grabbed Minter and was shot in the leg. Members of the congregation helped subdue Minter and managed to wrest away his gun, according to police. Minter then ran out of the church.

The pastor was taken to a local emergency room for treatment, while the woman and baby were taken to a hospital in Birmingham. The victims are in stable condition.

After he fled the scene, Minter was captured by police less than a mile away. His vehicle was left at the scene and a gun was recovered at the church, the statement said.

District Attorney Michael Jackson praised the pastor and members of the congregation for helping wrestle the gun away.

“A whole lot more people could have been shot,” Jackson said, “They all played a heroic role.”

Former Selma Mayor and Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church minister James Perkins visited the scene and said he paused service at Ebenezer to pray for the victims Sunday morning.

This undated photo provided by the Selma Police Department shows James Minter. Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson says suspect Minter has been charged with three counts of attempted murder after allegedly shooting a woman, an infant and a pastor inside a church, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in East Selma, Ala. (Selma Police Department via AP)

Blogs

Auto Draft

Auto Draft

You’ll soon have two chances to learn about the career of Boyz II Men. The legendary group is developing a feature film biopic. Boyz II Men are also working on a long-form documentary about their lives. The best-selling R&B group of all time has over 60 million albums sold.

DICK VAN DYKE IS NOT WORRIED ABOUT TRUMP’S TERM

DICK VAN DYKE IS NOT WORRIED ABOUT TRUMP’S TERM

Dick Van Dyke is turning 99-years-old next month and says the one good thing about not having much time left is that he won’t have to endure another four years of President Donald Trump. The legendary actor, who endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris just before the election, was asked by a reporter if he thinks…

DENZEL IS STILL GOING STRONG

DENZEL IS STILL GOING STRONG

Denzel Washington will visit Wakanda. On Tuesday, Washington announced that he will be starring in the third Black Panther movie. He said, “I’m only interested in working with the best — I don’t know how many more films I’m going to make, probably not that many. I want to do things I haven’t done.” Washington…

PLIES IS SUING MEG, GLO AND CARDI

PLIES IS SUING MEG, GLO AND CARDI

Now that the election is over, Plies is coming hard for his sisters-in-Kamala Harris — filing a lawsuit against Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, and Cardi B for copyright infringement!!! And according to Plies, Soulja Boy can’t claim “first” to using the beat on one of his big tracks … which he says was taken from…