Shooting at Nevada Mormon Church Leaves One Dead

Fifty people were inside the church when a gunman opened fire.

© Associated Press
One man was killed and another person injured in a shooting at a Mormon church in Nevada on Sunday.

By Tom Porter, Newsweek

One man was killed and another person injured in a shooting at a Mormon church in Nevada on Sunday.

Fallon Police Chief Kevin Gehman told Associated Press that the suspected shooter, identified as 48-year-old John Kelley O’Connor, is in police custody.

[post_ads]He is accused by police of walking into the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints in Fallon at just before 1 p.m. and opening fire. O'Connor was a member of the congregation and had attended a church service before opening fire, police said in a statement.

 

KTVN-TV reported that Gehman went home after the shooting, and when police followed him to the address a hostage negotiator persuaded him to surrender.

Police have identified the victim as Charles E. Miller, 61. Another person was shot in the leg, and is in a non-life-threatening condition. The Nevada Appeal reported that Miller attended the church.

Gehman said that the shooter appeared to have targeted one person and not the church, where 50 people were gathered at the time of the incident.

He said that no motive was immediately known.

O'Connor was being held at the Churchill County Jail and has yet to be formally charged, police said Sunday.

John K. O'Connor was arrested after a fatal shooting in a Nevada Mormon church

“Our hearts go out to family members of those who have lost someone and those who were in the church today where the tragedy occurred,” Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford said at a press conference Sunday evening, reported KOLO-TV. 

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Eric Hawkins, director, of media relations for the LDS church in Salt Lake City, offered condolences to the victims and their families in a statement, reported KEPR-TV. 

"We express our love to those in this congregation and our prayers for the victims and their families. Local leaders are ministering to them at this time," said Hawkins.

Nevada senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Dean Heller offered condolences to the victims and their families on Twitter.

Democrat Cortez Masto tweeted: “Devastated by the horrific news of the fatal shooting at the LDS church in Fallon. Thank you to the first responders on the scene. My heart goes out to all of those impacted. Places of worship should be a safe haven. The gun violence across this country must end.”

In his message, Republican lawmaker Heller said he was “Deeply saddened by the act of senseless violence in Fallon today at the LDS church. We are in contact with Mayor Tedford and other officials. My family and I are praying for all loved ones, churchgoers, and community members impacted by this tragedy.”