The Church of Christ in Salmon Arm taped off as police investigate a shooting (Photo: Gary Moore/CBC)
One man is dead, and another is in custody after a shooting at a church in Salmon Arm Sunday.
Family members have confirmed that the victim is Gordon Parmenter, an elder at the Salmon Arm Church of Christ.
RCMP say the church was hosting an event when a suspect entered the church and shot two of the churchgoers at 10:30 a.m..
A 25-year-old man was taken into custody after being wrestled to the ground by a number of the parishioners. A rifle was also seized.
Police attended and entered the church immediately to determine that two individuals were seriously wounded and required urgent medical assistance.
One was taken by air to hospital in stable condition.
The other was declared dead at the scene and the B.C. Coroners Service was notified along with next of kin.
Cpl. Chris Manseau, the E Division Media Relations Officer, says the area is contained and that there is no active threat to the public.
Mark Parmenter, the grandson of Gordon Parmenter, said the family knows the person who allegedly shot the elder Parmenter.
Marie Taylor, 79, a member of the church, released a statement to CBC News regarding the violence.
“Our hearts are broken, we feel so blessed to have the faith that we have,” it said. “It gives us the strength to love and forgive in any situation. We are praying for all the families affected.”
Salmon Arm RCMP, with the assistance of the Southeast District Major Crime Unit, are conducting an investigation into the incident. Victim Services support has also been called in to assist with those impacted by the incident.
A helicopter landing to take a patient from the scene of a serious incident in Salmon Arm (Photo: Twiter- pugfeet @caledreid)
With files from the CBC
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