Gun Fire at The Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, TN … 2 Killed

The evil that men do … what would cause some one to one fire on defenseless individuals during a church service? What evil lies in the the hearts of some men.

Horrible and shocking news from Knoxville, TN and the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. A gun man opened fire during services and has killed one individual. The shootings occurred Sunday during a youth performance. Also, 5 other people have been wounded and are in critically condition. Please pray for the victim’s families and for the congregation of TVUUC.

Knoxville Police Chief Sterling Owen identified the man killed as Greg McKendry, 60, a longtime church member and usher at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church.

Here is a timeline of the tragic events of the shooting at The Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church.

Church shooting suspect Jim D. Adkisson of Powell, TN

The suspect in the church shooting has now been identified as Jim D. Adkisson of Knox County. Jim Adkisson is being held on a million dollar bond and is charged with first-degree murder. A motive is not known as to the reason why some one would open fire in during a church service; however, its is being reported that the gunman shouted before he opened fire …“It was hateful words … He was saying hateful things,” but refused to elaborate.

Check out The Moderate Voice, one of their bloggers actually attends the church. Also Corrente has a personal connection to some who attend the church as well.

UPDATE I: Two now confirmed dead in the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church shootings

The man slain was identified as Greg McKendry, 60, a longtime church member and usher. Church member Barbara Kemper told The Associated Press that McKendry “stood in the front of the gunman and took the blast to protect the rest of us.”

Linda Kreager, 61, died at the University of Tennessee Medical Center a few hours after the shooting, Knoxville city spokesman Randall Kenner said.

• WAPO: Gunman Kills 2, Injures 7 In Tennessee Church
• CNN: 2 killed in Tennessee church shooting; suspect charged

UPDATE I: Accused church shooter threatened to kill wife, himself

UPDATE II: Man charged in Tenn. church shooting that killed 2

UPDATE III: Hatred Said to Motivate Tenn. Shooter

As fellow church members struggle for answers as to why someone would open fire in a church and harm defenseless, peaceful church goers … they may have found a motive for Jim D. Adkisson’s actions. According to reports, the shootings were brought on by hatred. However, more than hatred, it might have also been from having a couple of screws loose.

A man who the police say entered a Unitarian church in Knoxville during Sunday services and shot 8 people, killing two, was motivated by a hatred for liberals and homosexuals, Chief Sterling P. Owen IV of the Knoxville Police Department said Monday.

“It appears that what brought him to this horrible event was his lack of being able to obtain a job, his frustration over that, and his stated hatred for the liberal movement,” Chief Owen said of the suspect, Jim D. Adkisson, 58. “We have recovered a four-page letter in which he describes his feelings and the reason that he claims he committed these offenses.”

Hatred is an all powerful and consuming force. When allowed to fester and manifest itself, hatred can destroy all in its path and the individual consumed by it.