Armed with nothing but his faith in Jesus Christ, Pastor Earl Carswell – with the help of members of his congregation – took on and overpowered a crazed gunman police say opened fire in an Alabama church this weekend. The Pastor and his congregation are being praised as heroes for their actions, and thanks to their courage no one was killed.
James Junior Minter (pictured above) is being held without bond in the shooting of his girlfriend, his infant son and Pastor Carswell, according to Selma police Lt. Curtis Muhannad.
Minter was arrested shortly after he opened fire during a church service at Oasis Tabernacle Church in East Selma, Alabama.
“A whole lot more people could have been shot,” District Attorney Michael Jackson said, “They all played a heroic role.”
Witnesses told police Minter entered the white, single story church that sits on a tree lined, two-lane road 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 sprung into action and grabbed Minter. Carswell was shot in the leg as he and members of the congregation subdued Minter. They managed to wrest away his gun, according to police, before Minter 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.
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.
“It’s hard to comprehend it, it’s hard to understand it but a lot of people are struggling. A lot of people are stressed,” Perkins said. “We walk by faith, not by sight. We still have to believe that there’s goodness in most people.”
Minter was being held at the Dallas County jail. The Selma Police Department said Minter has been charged with three counts of attempted murder and may face other charges.
Minter had been arrested before but details on the nature of his past encounters with police weren’t immediately available, Muhannad said. Authorities are also investigating whether Minter violated a protective order, Muhannad said.
Jackson said worshippers having to be alert and on guard in a place meant to be a sanctuary was a shameful commentary on society.
“We’ve reached the point where all churches are gonna have to have cameras and check for weapons,” he said. “That’s the way society is going now. It’s the world we live in now.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story
It’s obvious that these lunatics seem to just want the attention…..By the way, what picture above ? Vengeance is mine saith the Lord !
Hey Phil, there may have been a picture at one point but you know why it is gone now. Don’t ask, no answer.
The worst part is this is SUPPOSED to be a safe sanctuary for ALL, looking for peace and God.
Maybe there was some sort of “Order” to protect this woman and child- I don’t know, I haven’t seen that part stated as fact in the many “articles” I have read about this particular crime.
I can say that my heart aches for this woman, this mother and apparent former partner to this person that attacked them.
Why? Because I have sat in a church service- and seen a man that was supposed to love me enter during the service. That first moment of the rise of joy in my heart can’t be described, but I bet without really thinking SHE felt it too.
To know moments later that that man (if you read it right the two that’s will make sense) was there to attack and/or kill, the complete and total deflation of one’s hopes and heart, no, that can’t be described either.
Please people, don’t be hateful.
“Muhannad”!
Can’t you spell or you just so full of hate?