Gunshot in Dawson Memorial Baptist Church rec center during basketball game dispute
Dawson Memorial Baptist Church: A Startling Incident Unfolds in Homewood
A startling incident unfolded at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood on a Thursday morning when the tranquility of the holy space was disrupted by the sound of a gunshot. At approximately 9:39 a.m., local law enforcement received a distress call reporting a gunshot fired within the church’s recreation center, situated on Oxmoor Road.
According to Sgt. John Carr, the incident involved an argument that escalated, leading an as-yet unidentified individual to discharge a single shot within the recreation center. Following the gunshot, the suspect quickly fled the scene in a vehicle, leaving those present in a state of shock and concern.
The initial investigation suggests that the argument that precipitated this unsettling incident was related to a basketball game. Thankfully, despite the discharge of a firearm, no one was injured, and the church’s members and visitors were spared from physical harm.
In response to this alarming event, Edgewood Elementary School and Homewood Middle School took precautionary measures, instituting a secured perimeter status. This status allowed classes to continue as usual but restricted students and staff from venturing outside the safety of the school premises until the situation could be fully assessed and resolved.
The local police department has since confirmed that the suspect is no longer in the vicinity, and there is no ongoing threat to public safety. While the immediate danger has subsided, the incident serves as a poignant reminder of the need for peaceful conflict resolution and the avoidance of violence, even in the heat of an argument over a recreational activity like a basketball game. The Dawson Memorial Baptist Church community, like any other, hopes for a return to the peaceful and harmonious atmosphere that places of worship are known for, free from such distressing incidents.
By: M Z Hossain, Editor Sky Buzz Feed
