Parishoner killed and six hurt in gun rampage

A MASKED gunman killed a woman and injured six other parishioners during a shooting at a church near Nashville, Tennessee, yesterday.

The dead woman was named as Melanie Smith, 39, and the wounded included Joey Spann, the pastor of Burnette Chapel Church of Christ, and his wife Peggy.

Police spokesman Don Aaron said: “A gunman wearing a neoprene mask arrived in the parking lot and one woman who was walking to her vehicle was immediately fatally wounded by the gunman.” He said the gunman, identified as Emanuel Kidega Samson, 25, of Murfreesboro, then entered the church and began firing multiple rounds. An usher – hailed as a hero – confronted the shooter, who remained silent during the attack and who apparently shot himself accidentally in the struggle, authorities said.

The gunman was last night under police guard at a nearby hospital.