After a long work week, church is the place where you are supposed to commune with God and worship with fellow parishioners. But one angry congregate decided that another needed to meet Jesus a little sooner at Keystone Fellowship Church in Philadelphia this past Sunday. Police are stating that an unidentified member shot Robert Braxton, 27, during an argument that escalated to a physical fight at the start of the 11:00 a.m. service. Members have stated that the two men were at the back of the church when the altercation started as the congregation began the opening hymn.
The church was hosting a missionary from the African nation of Sudan when gunfire erupted. The speaker had no connection to the fight or the participants. Some members stated that at first they thought it was a hit on the missionary from the violence plagued nation because they were told earlier that they could not photograph or record the speaker because of security concerns.
When police arrived at the scene they found Braxton with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his wounds. The shooter was suffering from an unspecified injury and was treated at the hospital and later released. According to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, no one was taken into custody and “The individual involved in the shooting is cooperating with police at this point.”
The shooter had a conceal and carry permit and police are investigating whether the shooting was a case of self defense. The church released the following statement on its Facebook page:
“Our hearts are deeply grieved over the tragic event that occurred Sunday morning, April 24 at our Montgomeryville campus. As a church family, we are shocked and heartbroken over what took place, and our congregation is in prayer for everyone involved. In light of Sunday’s tragedy, we are coming together as a church family at our Skippack campus for a time of prayer and comfort. Please join us Monday evening, April 25 at 7:00pm at Keystone Skippack, 2024 Cressman Road in Schwenksville PA as we approach God’s throne of grace and seek His healing presence in our time of need.”
