Domestic Problems lead to church shooting

The following story is from Fox News....

Louisiana Church Shooting Leaves Five Dead

Monday , May 22, 2006

BATON ROUGE, La. — The shooting started about the time church services were supposed to end. Five family members were killed and another was shot in the back of the head but survived.

A 25-year-old was charged with five counts of first-degree homicide in the shootings at a Baton Rouge church on Sunday, accused of opening fire at his wife's two grandmothers, grandfather, great aunt and cousin, then killing his wife at a nearby apartment complex. Police said they did not know suspect Anthony Bell's motive.

"I am very mad, and I am mad at the devil, because he had something to do with this," said Frankie Smith, a relative of the victims by marriage.

Police Chief Jeff LeDuff said Sunday was "one of the worst days in the history of our city."

Police identified the dead as Erica Bell, 24, Leonard Howard, 78, Gloria Howard, 72, Deloris McGrew, 68, and Darlene Mills, 47.

Erica Bell's mother, church pastor Claudia Brown, was wounded and in serious condition, police said, but would not provide further details. Her son, Jeffrey Howard, said she had been shot in the back of the head. She gave investigators a statement about the shooting, according to a police affidavit.

Bell faces a count of attempted first-degree murder in Claudia Brown's shooting. He also faces a second-degree kidnapping charge, because he allegedly abducted three of Erica Bell's children, released two and had the third with him when he was arrested, police said.

Investigators did not know the motive for the shooting at The Ministry of Jesus Christ church.

"This is senseless. This is a total waste of human life," LeDuff said.

In an interview, Jeffrey Howard said Anthony and Erica Bell had had some "domestic trouble" in the past. Howard hinted that Anthony Bell used drugs and had "smoked away" what money the couple had.

The small church shares space in an old warehouse with a guitar shop in a nonresidential area of Baton Rouge. Jeffrey Howard described the ministry as a "full gospel-type church" that often paid bills for parishioners who were having money problems.

Bell is believed to have entered and opened fire with a handgun shortly before the Sunday service was to end, about 10 a.m.

"To the best of my knowledge, the service was ongoing when this happened," LeDuff said.

After shooting five people, Bell fled with his wife and with three children, including an infant, police said. The two older children were found safely at a residence.

Police said Bell called 911 to report a shooting; responding officers found him at an apartment complex, holding the child. His wife's body was inside the car he had been driving, police said. Bell did not resist arrest.

Bell left a police holding facility with hands and feet cuffed, without shirt or shoes, in blue jeans shorts.

This is sad. It is a shame when even the church we attend is not safe. I realize this family had severe problems, but to see this happen at a church grieves my soul.
As children of God we need to uphold these precious saints in our prayers. These stories are getting to prevelent and common.

I'll Post again later today.....

Steve