As of 3:30 pm on 9/24/17, there is little known about a lone masked man, probably in his 20s, over 6 feet tall who was in a Nashville, TN suburb, Antioch church where he shot several people. There is one woman who was fatally shot but 7 others were injured. The shooter did shoot himself, however, he survived. According to a witness interviewed by TV reporters, the church has a small body of about 60 members, mostly elderly.

Here’s the rest of the story…

On September 24, 2017, AP reported, “1 killed, 7 wounded in Tennessee church shooting.”

Excerpts:

“A masked gunman entered a church in Tennessee on Sunday (9/24/17) and opened fire, killing at least one person and injuring seven others before apparently shooting himself, an official said.”

“Don Aaron, spokesman for the Metro Nashville Police Department, said the gunman arrived at the parking lot as services were ending at the Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in the neighborhood of Antioch. The suspect fatally shot a woman who was walking to her vehicle, then entered the rear of the church, and six people were shot. Aaron says a churchgoer who confronted the gunman was pistol-whipped by the suspect, who then shot himself.”

“The gunman and five others were treated for gunshot wounds at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Aaron said. One gunshot victim and the man who was pistol-whipped were taken to Skyline Medical Center for treatment.”

“Aaron said the condition of the suspect, in his 20s and from Rutherford County, wasn’t believed to be life-threatening. He was under police guard. His name was not immediately released.”

“Aaron said he was “not aware” of any relationship between the alleged gunman and any of the worshipers inside the church. Congregants who witnessed the shootings were being interviewed by investigators.”

The small, yellow brick church describes itself on its website as a “friendly, Bible based group of folks who love the Lord and are interested in spreading His Word to those who are lost.”

TV news reports have been describing a 22 year old man and church usher, Robert Engle who physically took on the suspected shooter. The police are now saying that the shooter is 25-year-old EThe surviving victims include Minister Joey Spann, who is in critical condition, and his wife, Peggy Spann, 65, who is in stable condition. The other victims are all in stable condition: Linda Bush, 68; William Jenkins, 83; Marlene Jenkins, 84; Katherine Dickerson, 64; and Robert Engle, 22, the usher who stopped the gunman, police sai. During the struggle, the gun went off where the suspect was shot.

It was Robert. Engle’s bravery which ended the shooter’s madness.

The police have yet to determine the shooter’s motive.

Here is an update 9/25/17.

On September 24, 2017, Tom Cleary of Heavy.com penned the following report, “Emanuel Samson: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know.”

Excerpts:

“The suspect, Emanuel Kidega Samson (25 yrs. old), is under police guard at Vanderbilt University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, the Nashville Metro Police Department said. He is a former member of the church, police said.”(About 1-2 years ago)

“The surviving victims include Minister Joey Spann, who is in critical condition, and his wife, Peggy Spann, 65, who is in stable condition. The other victims are all in stable condition: Linda Bush, 68; William Jenkins, 83; Marlene Jenkins, 84; Katherine Dickerson, 64; and Robert Engle, 22, the usher who stopped the gunman, police said.”

The woman killed in the shooting has been identified by her family as Melanie Crow Crow, 39, of Smyrna.

“Police said at a briefing that the shooting happened as church was being let out. The gunman, identified as Emanuel Samson, was wearing a “neoprene ski type mask,” and armed with two guns, police spokesman Don Aaron told reporters. Aaron said rumors the gunman was wearing a clown mask do not appear to be true, the mask was “more like what you would see on a skier.”

“Police said the shooting happened about 11:15 a.m. local time. The church is located at 3890 Pin Hook Road in Antioch.”

“One woman who was walking to her vehicle was immediately fatally wounded by the gunman, who we believe then entered the rear of the church, other persons were still inside the rear of the building, the gunman opened fire on them, multiple rounds were fired inside the church, police said at a press conference.”

“According to police, the gunman shot himself after he was confronted by a church member, 22-year-old Robert Engle, who went to his car and retrieved a gun.”

“The gunman was wounded by a self-inflicted shot,” a police spokesman said. “He has been taken to the hospital. One of the church members, upon seeing the gunman doing this action inside the church, ran up and confronted him. He was pistol-whipped by the gunman,” Aaron told reporters.”

“Police said the gunman then accidentally shot himself in the leg. The member of the church who confronted him was an usher, according to police. He has a permit to legally carry a handgun, and ran to his car to retrieve his gun after being struck by the shooter. He then went back into the church and held the shooter at gunpoint, police said. Aaron called him an “exceptionally brave individual.” He was bleeding from the head, but was able to talk to police and walk into an ambulance on his own.”

“Police said the suspect is under guard at Vanderbilt Medical Center and his injuries are not expected to be life-threatening.”

“Samson arrived at the scene in a blue SUV that was found in the church’s parking lot, police said. He was wearing a “neoprene” mask over half his face, police said. It was checked by a police “hazardous devices” unit, but there were no explosives found.”

“Samson is a native of Khartoum, Sudan, according to his Facebook page. Police said he came to the United States in 1996, when he was 4 or 5. He is a legal resident of the U.S., but it is not known if he is a citizen.”

Samson lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and graduated from Smyrna High School in 2010, also in Tennessee, in 2010, according to his Facebook page.

“He is a bodybuilder, according to his social media profiles. “I aspire to inspire & lift while UPlifting,” he says in his Instagram profile. “Classic physique competitor on a path of domination! Let’s Getit!”

Samson competed in the NPC men’s physique competition at Music City Muscle in November 2016.

He graduated from Motlow State Community College in 2013 with an associate’s degree in psychology, according to his Indeed resume. He said at the time he was interested in pursuing a career as a counselor.

“To better prepare myself as I continue in the field of psychology by strengthening my community skills while counseling, advising, and guiding individuals/groups either spiritually, emotionally, and mentally; all while pursuing official licensing of a deemed psychologist,” he wrote. “Great communication skills. Trilingual in the following languages: English, Arabic, and Acholi (tribal language). Excellent memory. Can multitask if needed.”

He has held several jobs, including as a driver for Papa John’s pizza in Lavergne, Tennessee, a cook at Your Burger in Smyrna anda courtesy clerk at Kroger in Lavergne.