Three injured in Alabama church shooting

Oasis Tabernacle Church, where a man injured three in a shooting on Sunday. Facebook

A man opened fire during a church service in Alabama on Sunday, wounding his girlfriend, her baby and a pastor before being arrested on attempted murder charges, a prosecutor said.

The shooting rattled the congregation of Oasis Tabernacle Church in east Selma but was not believed to be racially motivated, said Dallas County District Attorney Michael Jackson.

"This was a domestic violence situation," Jackson said. "It's just a sad situation when people have to be on guard in their church."

In June, a black pastor and eight others were gunned down at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina, by a white gunman who authorities allege targeted them because of their race.

The pastor in Sunday's shooting is white and the alleged gunman, James Minter, his girlfriend and the infant are black, Jackson said.

The prosecutor said Minter and his girlfriend had been having problems before Minter went into the churchSunday morning and began shooting. The pastor was shot as he intervened and tried to wrestle away Minter's gun, Jackson said.

Jackson said the mother was in critical condition after being shot in the face. He did not know the conditions of the pastor and infant.

Minter was jailed without bail on three counts of attempted murder, Jackson said.

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
related articles
Charleston murders prompt prayers for Dylann Roof: \'We\'re not a church that hates\'
Charleston murders prompt prayers for Dylann Roof: 'We're not a church that hates'

Charleston murders prompt prayers for Dylann Roof: 'We're not a church that hates'

Meet the pastors who are arming their churches after Charleston shooting
Meet the pastors who are arming their churches after Charleston shooting

Meet the pastors who are arming their churches after Charleston shooting

Denver megachurch pastor: Why we need armed guards in our services
Denver megachurch pastor: Why we need armed guards in our services

Denver megachurch pastor: Why we need armed guards in our services

News
A three day journey by canoe to receive life-saving treatment from Mercy Ships
A three day journey by canoe to receive life-saving treatment from Mercy Ships

Most Madagascans cannot afford surgery, even on the rare occasions its available.

Drought insurance helps Nepal families survive food crisis
Drought insurance helps Nepal families survive food crisis

An innovative drought insurance scheme has provided emergency support to hundreds of vulnerable farming families in western Nepal

Britain has become ‘dangerously complacent’ over family breakdown
Britain has become ‘dangerously complacent’ over family breakdown

Dr Harry Benson, Research Director at the Marriage Foundation, said the latest official data on families and households pointed to a “profound social change” that had received little public attention despite long-term consequences for family stability and child wellbeing.

Church of Scotland issues slavery apology
Church of Scotland issues slavery apology

The Church of Scotland General Assembly said it was “grieved beyond telling” for the suffering inflicted.