MOBILE, Ala. — True Cornerstone Church on Halls Mill Road is moving forward with repairs after police say an attempted murder-suicide unfolded at the church, leaving a woman wounded and a man dead.
According to friends of the congregation, the gunman arrived at the church looking for his wife and shot her outside before turning the weapon on himself. Mobile police had not formally released the names of anyone involved, and identities of the couple were being withheld pending official confirmation. Church members said the wounded woman began praying even as she lay injured, and she survived the attack.
Community rallies around the congregation
Pastor Derek Gandy said strangers showed up within a day to help, and a new wall has already gone up where damage occurred as cleanup continued inside the building.
Gandy said both the victim and the shooter were friends of his family, and that Sunday’s services went ahead as planned. “I can’t preach faith if I don’t live by faith,” he said. His wife, Kula Gandy, said witnessing the victim’s prayers in the aftermath strengthened her own faith, and noted the outcome could have been far worse had the car crashed into a packed sanctuary or more people been harmed.
The church is continuing to raise money to fund building repairs, with donations accepted through its online channels.