DEVELOPING STORY: Police are responding to a church shooting in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Watch live local coverage and updates below.
The ABC television affiliate in Birmingham says the shooting happened at St. Stephens Episcopal Church near the intersection of Overton Road and Crosshaven Drive. The building was being evacuated.
Police said multiple people were shot and the suspect is in custody. The victims were taken to different hospitals in Birmingham including UAB and Grandview Medical Center, television station WVTM reported.
According to the church’s website, there was a “Boomers Potluck” planned for 5 p.m. in Parish Hall today.
Following is a statement that was released by the local police department:
At approximately 6:22 PM Central Time the Vestavia Hills Police Department responded to Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church located at 3775 Crosshaven Drive Vestavia Hills, AL on a call of an active shooter. Multiple law enforcement agencies and fire departments responded to the scene. The VHPD confirms multiple people were shot. The suspect is in custody. The next press briefing will be at approximately 8 pm.
Vestavia Hills Police
EPISCOPAL BISHOP ISSUES STATEMENT
“You never want something like this to happen in your community,” Kelley Hudlow, who works in the bishop’s office, told AL.com. “It is shocking that it happened here but we are going to love each other and take care of each other and find our way forward. We are praying for the people who have been hurt, the doctors and nurses that are helping them and we are also praying for this community that is going to be shocked and hurt by this.”
POLICE: 3 SHOT, 1 DEAD
A police spokesman says three people were shot. One person was killed.