Two Dead In Tenn. Church Shooting

Seven Others Injured As Man Blasts Shotgun During Children's Play; Suspect Is In Custody

(CBS/AP)  It was supposed to be the highlight of Sunday service at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church -- a performance of "Annie" by church member children just finished with music camp. But as CBS Evening News correspondent Bianca Solorzano reports, the singing was silenced by deadly gunfire.

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A gunman opened fire at the church youth performance Sunday, killing two people, including a man witnesses called a hero for shielding others from a shotgun blast.

Seven adults were also injured but no children were harmed at the church. Members said they dove under pews or ran from the building when the shooting started.

Congregants tackled the gunman.

Jim D. Adkisson, 58, was charged with first-degree murder and held on $1 million bail, according to city spokesman Randy Kenner, who did not know if Adkisson had an attorney.

The slain man was identified as Greg McKendry, 60, a longtime church member and usher. Church member Barbara Kemper told The Associated Press that McKendry "stood in the front of the gunman and took the blast to protect the rest of us."

Linda Kraeger, 61, died at the University of Tennessee Medical Center a few hours after the shooting, Kenner said.

Five people remained hospitalized, all in critical or serious condition. Two others were treated and released.

The gunman's motive is not yet known. The church, like many other Unitarian Universalist churches, promotes progressive social work, such as desegregation and fighting for the rights of women and gays. The Knoxville congregation has provided sanctuary for political refugees, fed the homeless and founded a chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, according to its Web site.

Kemper said the gunman shouted before he opened fire.

"It was hateful words. He was saying hateful things," she said, but refused to elaborate.

The FBI was assisting in case the shooting turned out be a hate crime, Police Chief Sterling Owen said. Police were taking statements from witnesses and collecting video cameras from church members who taped the performance.

Authorities searched Adkisson's duplex in the Knoxville suburb of Powell on Sunday night. A bomb squad was called in as a precaution.

"In a situation like this we're not taking any chances," police Lt. Doug Stiles said. Police refused to provide any details about what they found.

The shooting started as about 200 people watched 25 children perform a show based on the musical "Annie."

Church member Mark Harmon said he was in the first row. "It had barely begun when there was an incredibly loud bang," he said.

Harmon said he thought the noise was part of the play, then he heard a second loud bang. As he dove for cover, he realized a woman behind him was bleeding. She looked like she was in shock, touching her wound, he said.

"It seems so unreal," Harmon said. "You're sitting in church, you're watching a children's performance of a play and suddenly you hear a bang."

Harmon said church members just behind him in the second and third rows were shot. His wife told him that she saw the gunman pull the shotgun out of a guitar case.

Witnesses reported hearing about three blasts from the 12-gauge shotgun. Witnesses said they did not recognize the gunman.

Church members said the gunman was tackled by John Bohstedt, who played "Daddy Warbucks" in the performance. He declined comment when reached by phone at his home.

[hbevis]

Our hopes and prayer go out to all of this church''s members. May all of the injured recover.

[irliberal]

Looks like a neocon clutched his gun a little TOO tightly.

[ubrew12]

Love to see a ''well-regulated militia'' in action.

[runningralph]

Mid-40''s means boomer generation means drug abuser. If you give your money to a dope dealer, your brain gets fried. Prescription drugs may be worse. I know of two cases where people od''d on prescriptions. I know another where a teenager killed stabbed his own father and the beat him to death with a golf club because he was off his meds. The boomer generation is taking this stuff by the gallon. destroying their families and raising twisted kids.

[edintex]

The shooter is probably one of those Christian hating libs we see on here frequently.

[shoebox119]

The shooter is probably one of those Christian hating libs we see on here frequently.

Posted by edinte

____________


More likely he''s one of those neocon, law abiding gun nuts who''s scared to death of anyone who stands for peace and love or wants to take his gun away from him.

[gotagrip]

Probably a far right fundamentalist gun nut who didn''t think children should sing and dance in church. Makes as much sense as assuming he''s a drug addict based on the little info given so far. Let''s wait to hear the details.

[guadalcanal3]

runningralph...that''s the most ridiculous thing I have heard in a while...I mean..''baby boomers'' being drug addicts....drug addiction knows no boundries...drug addiction affects whoever does drugs aka male,female,black,white,young or old etc.

[idnnsg]

More innocent lives snuffed out by a gun lover! This is very sad for all.

55 percent of the people that die by gunfire in this country are suicides. I only wish it were 100 percent! (Only 2 percent of the gun deaths are legal shootings, such as when a cop kills a criminal, or a "law abiding gun owner" defends his home from attack.)

[AlwaysSmiling]

Mid-40''''s means boomer generation means drug abuser. If you give your money to a dope dealer, your brain gets fried. Prescription drugs may be worse. I know of two cases where people od''''d on prescriptions. I know another where a teenager killed stabbed his own father and the beat him to death with a golf club because he was off his meds. The boomer generation is taking this stuff by the gallon. destroying their families and raising twisted kids.

Posted by runningralph at 04:33 PM : Jul 27, 2008
------------------------------
Traditionally the "Boomer" generation was the period shortly after WWII (1945-1950). So, he''d be in his mid-60''s right now. Mid-40''s is Generation-X. And please don''t lump us all into the same cloth as him. I''ll have you know I''m on NO meds of any kind, and am 37.

Have a nice day:)
Patrick.

[shoebox119]

Mid-40''''s means boomer generation means drug abuser. If you give your money to a dope dealer, your brain gets fried. Prescription drugs may be worse. I know of two cases where people od''''d on prescriptions. I know another where a teenager killed stabbed his own father and the beat him to death with a golf club because he was off his meds. The boomer generation is taking this stuff by the gallon. destroying their families and raising twisted kids.

Posted by runningralph

__________


Being against drug abuse is fine, ralph, but you paint an entire generation with a broad brush of disrespect.

Drug abuse knows no generational boundaries, and being a baby boomer myself, your unwarranted comments are more than insulting. I''ll be glad to put up my accomplishments, both personal and professional, against yours anytime.

You should brush up on your arithmetic, too. Mi-40''s translates into a birth year just at the extreme edge of the baby boomer generation (1946-1964).

[sblake63]

The shooter is probably one of those Christian hating libs we see on here frequently.

Posted by edintex at 04:45 PM : Jul 27, 2008

**************************
Ummmmm the Unitarian Universalist Church is not a Christian church. They are a bunch of weirdos that have an "abstract" view of God. They allow any belief to be advocated at their services, they dont not believe in the divinity of Christ.

And this is even a more terrible tragedy because the vast majority of them probably were not saved, not a good time to die. This should server as a wake up call to all. Get save get right with Christ. No place is safe period!

[sblake63]

More innocent lives snuffed out by a gun lover! This is very sad for all.

55 percent of the people that die by gunfire in this country are suicides. I only wish it were 100 percent! (Only 2 percent of the gun deaths are legal shootings, such as when a cop kills a criminal, or a "law abiding gun owner" defends his home from attack.)

Posted by IDNNSG at 05:03 PM : Jul 27, 2008


____________________________

Lmao at the anti gun crowd! The high court just ruled on this issue. They overturned the most sweeping Gun ban in the nation. Now Chicago and the most worthless anti family anti American place of them all - San Francisco faces lawsuits to overturn their bans also.

Hey gun haters now there are 3 things that will NEVER change - Death, Taxes and now GUNS. Give up your fight, we will ALWAYS have the right to bear arms and there is absolutely NOTHING you can do about it. One don%u2019t you oppose the real monster that%u2019s causing all this violence - Public schools, that are cranking out these nutcases with assembly line like efficiency !

[toncul-2009]

Got *** white people listening to gangster rap music by 50 cent again!

[hbevis]

More likely he''''s one of those neocon, law abiding gun nuts who''''s scared to death of anyone who stands for peace and love or wants to take his gun away from him.

Posted by shoebox119 at 04:54 PM : Jul 27, 2008
***********
I completely disagree with you on this thought. He may or may not be a gun owner. But he sure is off in the head department. Sometimes people snap and do crazy things.

[shoebox119]

55 percent of the people that die by gunfire in this country are suicides. I only wish it were 100 percent! (Only 2 percent of the gun deaths are legal shootings, such as when a cop kills a criminal, or a "law abiding gun owner" defends his home from attack.)

Posted by IDNNSG

__________


Sounds like this killer was a law abiding citizen up until he pulled the trigger. If he owned the shotgun he used in this cowardly attack, wouldn''t that make him also a "law abiding gun owner?"

So, under which category will these statistics be filed under, IDNNSG?

[hbevis]

Posted by hermit22 at 05:15 PM : Jul 27, 2008

IF ONLY WHAT YOU SAY COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED WE WOULD BE A BETTER WORLD. IT IS NOT JUST THE UNITED STATES THAT IS INVOLVED IN ALL OF THIS MADNESS. A LOT OF OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE KILLINGS THAT ARE GREATER THAN ANYTHING WE HAVE HERE IN THIS COUNTRY. THEY JUST DON''T USE GUNS TO DO THE KILLING.

[hbevis]

Posted by MyOpinion1 at 05:18 PM : Jul 27, 2008

YOU ARE 100% RIGHT..

[kamsack50]

The sad tragedy of a person losing control of his senses
and carrying out a single shooting incident should not be national news. It hurts the local community, needlessly alarms and depresses the nation at large and serves only this news network which gleefully seeks out such isolated incidents for sensationalism and political influence.

[jobub]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims.I think that should be our main concern for the moment. I hope Mr. McKendry gets the help that he so despartly needs.

[calvinde249]

Look. SBlake63 I''m sure means well, but the words aren''t always stated in a way that is meant to not offend.

I''m a believer myself, and I respect the fact that there are many "different" believers in the world and that we all have the "freedom of religion." However, that does NOT give any human being the right to just walk into a church and kill innocent victims. Why? Sure, we may never find an answer to that question, but the bottom line is that there HAS TO BE a solid foundation that people fall back on when they "want to kill" or "feel the need to kill" people, without reason.

In other words, where were this killer''s moral/values? Perhaps he wasn''t raised with any? Then, I beg the question, "What happened to respect? dignity? kindness? compassion?" What happened to people having enough common sense to understand that it is these simple things in life that make the world a better place and bring people together %u2014 not money, not things, not "What can I get out it?", not hate, not crime, etc...

Not getting off of the subject, but truly... it goes back to simplicity. America has caused its own problems by allowing SO MUCH FREEDOM into this country that its VERY OWN PEOPLE are abusing it by promoting ***, weapons, drugs, and now... the result???? Get the picture? WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!

[sblake63]

Posted by calvinde249 at 05:36 PM : Jul 27, 2008

________________________

A beliver? Does the bible imply there will ever be peace before Christ''s return - A resounding NO. Yes were supposed to try to make things better. But we need to get over the brainwashing that we will accompish a utopian society where all are well, fed, equal and happy. Get over it because it shall not happen. Dont believe me? Read up!

[sandy19731]

Just for the record:
Mr. McKendry was a victim of the shooter (and is dead).

The shooter (unnamed) is in custody.
Read the article.

[smirk5]

Yay, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no.............Oh my God! He''s got a gun! Run for your life!

[sandy19731]

hermit22,
Sorry if I was snarky. Please correct me when I mis-read. It happens.

[leftbehind81]

i cant believe that i am actually seeing a church that has just been shot at being called ''more like club''... what??? You have obviously have never been so please stop making speculations. One of our greatest presidents Calvin Coolidge was a universalist.

[rheola-2009]

Posted by sblake63 at 05:27 PM : Jul 27, 2008

If you equate the number of deaths per 100,000 of population in each of the country you mention, then the person who should be called a moron, becomes very evident.

[smirk5]

hermit22,

"hey, smirk5, what is the name of the "God" you are calling on?"

Bob. You see, the universe was created by a giant space turtle named Bob. If you don''t have faith in Bob, I''ll pray to Bob for you.

[smirk5]

Huckabee once said that angels guided his bullet into an antelope he was hunting. Does that mean that angels guided the shot (I''m assuming shot; could have been a slug) into the victim at the church today?

[smirk5]

Why is the liberal press even reporting this? I''m sure they painted a school somewhere in Tennessee today. Why can''t the press report that instead?

[leftbehind81]

reading these comments makes me beg the question... why was the south ever allowed back in the union.

[chimpyout]

I was astonished to learn that John C. Calhoun, southern statesman was a Unitarian! Just "google" the name and see!

[sociald63]

u see - guns dont kill people - idiots w/ guns kill people

[edintex]

reading these comments makes me beg the question... why was the south ever allowed back in the union.
Posted by zrer10 at 06:55 PM : Jul 27, 2008

Your brainiac northeners FORCED the southern states into the union!! You asked for it, now you have it...

[leftbehind81]

edintex, the south should have been made perminate US teritory. no group of people capable of enslaving other people should be allowed to vote.

As to hermit, i have NEVER seen a rant in the media against giving to religious organizations.

[mycomment-2009]

reading these comments makes me beg the question... why was the south ever allowed back in the union.
Posted by zrer10 at 06:55 PM : Jul 27, 2008

Just for one day I''d like to read the comments section without all the nut cases like this one posting their idiotic messages.

[smirk5]

hermit22,
I''ll give my regards to Bob in space on your behalf as well.
Remember, Bob loves you.

[mycomment-2009]

it goes to show if you stay out of church, you don''''t get shot up....Church is evil.
Posted by jeff92706 at 07:49 PM : Jul 27, 2008

Oh really....well my church, just in the last six months, has sent money to Liberia to buy livestock to help them become more self-sufficent, sent handmade cotton shifts for the women of Africa to wear, sent baby clothes and supplies to an unwed mother''s home, brought a truck load of school supplies for the poorer schools in our town, sent personal item kits to prisioners, provided boxes of food to those in need, collected food for the food bank, donated hundreds of pairs of shoes for Appalacian child....just to name a few. Tell me now, what have YOU done?

[sandy19731]

Mycomment,
That sounds like a wonderful church.

[smirk5]

An express ticket to heaven is only a tragedy if your faith is weak.

[truth_police]

This is a sick country that loves its guns more than it loves is children. Get used these sick, demented consequences because they are HERE TO STAY ... as long as the guns are HERE TO STAY.

[razajac]

hermit22 said "...did ''the shooter'', [...] have mental health problems that nobody bothered to DO SOMETHING about?"

I have a theory.

I suspect he''s an extreme fundamentalist.

No, his church didn''t make him mentally ill; it just masked his mental illness.

You say crazy stuff; indicative of a serious separation from reality; in a regular envirionment (like at work), and people sit up and take notice. You say these same things in a fundamentalist church, and people think you''re just gifted with an abnormally large faith muscle.

[razajac]

hermit22 said "...did ''the shooter'', [...] have mental health problems that nobody bothered to DO SOMETHING about?"

I have a theory.

I suspect he''s an extreme fundamentalist.

No, his church didn''t make him mentally ill; it just masked his mental illness.

You say crazy stuff; indicative of a serious separation from reality; in a regular envirionment (like at work), and people sit up and take notice. You say these same things in a fundamentalist church, and people think you''re just gifted with an abnormally large faith muscle.

[smirk5]

I bet if they examine this guy, they''ll find out that he believed in teleconception, the idea that a guy got 2 of every animal on earth into a boat, and that a man dead for more than a few days could come back to life thousands of years ago. He was surely crazy.

[razajac]

hermit22 said "...did ''the shooter'', [...] have mental health problems that nobody bothered to DO SOMETHING about?"

I have a theory.

I suspect he''s an extreme fundamentalist.

No, his church didn''t make him mentally ill; it just masked his mental illness.

You say crazy stuff; indicative of a serious separation from reality; in a regular envirionment (like at work), and people sit up and take notice. You say these same things in a fundamentalist church, and people think you''re just gifted with an abnormally large faith muscle.

[razajac]

hermit22 said "...did ''the shooter'', [...] have mental health problems that nobody bothered to DO SOMETHING about?"

I have a theory.

I suspect he''s an extreme fundamentalist.

No, his church didn''t make him mentally ill; it just masked his mental illness.

You say crazy stuff; indicative of a serious separation from reality; in a regular envirionment (like at work), and people sit up and take notice. You say these same things in a fundamentalist church, and people think you''re just gifted with an abnormally large faith muscle.

[smirk5]

If only everyone in that church had been packing. They could have cut that man down in a hail of godly bullets.

[sis003]

"This was God''s will. God wanted the sinners in this church to be hurt or killed. There is no reason to be upset. Praise Jesus."
Posted by pleaseread.

I''m not entirely sure how the immesurable amounts of suffering heaped on the victims of this terrible tragedy could POSSIBLY be God''s will. 2 Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord...is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentence." Think about it. God is a loving god, the One that created us all. Do you really think that he wants any of his creations to suffer? Suffering is a product of Satan, not of God. Do you have children, pleaseread? If you do, do you WANT them to suffer? I''m fairly sure that you do not. No one, not even the most hardened criminals, are beyond the grace of the Lord. I''m young, and even I know that. And honestly, I''m ashamed to find that someone who professes to believe in God could say something so callous about his fellow humans.

[sis003]

"I have a theory.

I suspect he''''s an extreme fundamentalist.

No, his church didn''''t make him mentally ill; it just masked his mental illness.

You say crazy stuff; indicative of a serious separation from reality; in a regular envirionment (like at work), and people sit up and take notice. You say these same things in a fundamentalist church, and people think you''''re just gifted with an abnormally large faith muscle. razajac"

Just would like to know--how many what is your definition of "fundamentalist church" for the sake of curiosity? How many churches defined by you have you attended? For how long? Are you making your judgements based upon things you have seen on TV or in the news? News and articles often are edited to promote the most emotional reaction, so not usually completely accurate.

[runningralph]

I say the boomer generation was born between 1950 and 1965. In my earlier post I said the boomers abused drugs. When this bunch came of age drug abuse became rampant. I don''t think anyone can argue that point. When I came up in the late forties and early fifties, it was unheard of in mainstream America. By 1970 it was very common. This generation made having iillegitimate babies fashionable. Single mothers had no shame. Pornography became big business. Hefner, Larry Flynt became respectable. Divorce, co-habitation became more prevalent than marriage. Am I painting with a broad brush? Look up the statistics. Drub abuse, illigitimate birth rate, divorce rate, crime, etc, etc. I believe it all started withdrug abuse.