Security Planning For Holy Places

Many congregations believe security means restricting access.

In reality, the safest houses of worship are the ones that prepare — not the ones that simply react.

A written plan, clear roles for volunteers, and coordination with local police protect congregants far more effectively than physical barriers alone.

This is one of the central ideas behind Security Planning for Holy Places.

A "hero" attending a potluck dinner subdued the gunman who opened fire inside an Alabama church Thursday, killing three members, police said. Police announced the death of the third victim Friday afternoon.

Police Capt. Shane Ware said a suspect was in custody but only identified him as a 71-year-old White male who occasionally attended services at the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in the Birmingham suburb of Vestavia Hills. Prosecutors were preparing warrants to charge him with capital murder, Ware said.

The suspect pulled a gun and opened fire during the dinner, a "Boomers Potluck" gathering attended by other church members, Ware said. He killed Walter Rainey, an 84-year-old man from Irondale, Alabama, and Sarah Yeager, a 75-year-old woman from Pelham, Alabama, police said in a statement earlier Friday.

An 84-year-old woman from Hoover, Alabama, was also wounded in the shooting. She was taken to an area hospital and died on Friday.

"Hero" at Alabama church shooting subdued gunman, police say; death toll rises to 3 A gunman opened fire inside a suburban Alabama church during a potluck dinner, killing three members.