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Gunmen Kill Eight, Wound 34 at Funeral in Jordan
· Confirmed
In Short: Gunmen opened fire during a funeral procession at a Greek Orthodox Church in Jordan, killing eight and wounding 34.
Gunmen opened fire during a funeral procession at a Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Hamoud, in Jordan's Karak governorate, on October 23, killing eight and wounding 34, according to reports from multiple outlets including Aleteia and Al Jazeera.
Al Jazeera reported that people heard an explosion when the funeral procession started, and then masked gunmen broke into the church and opened fire for several minutes. Aleteia noted that the attack occurred during a funeral service.
According to the BBC (United Kingdom), Khalid al-Mdanat, who was at the church, told BBC Arabic that the attack lasted around 15 minutes with people trying to flee while the shooting was still active.
CCTV footage, shown by Jordan TV via AP and reported by Fox News and Persecution, appeared to show gunmen running toward the Greek Orthodox church in Karak, Jordan, where seven people were initially reported killed, but later revised to eight.
The attack left 27 of the wounded receiving treatment in hospitals, according to Jordan's Health Ministry, as reported by Aleteia and Al Jazeera.
The Jordanian government declared three days of national mourning following the church attack, as reported by 15 outlets including Aleteia and Newscord.
King Abdullah II of Jordan said the authorities would confront the terrorist act with the harshest penalties, as quoted by Aleteia.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms, as quoted by Aleteia.
The charity group Aid to the Church in Need, which supports the Church in Jordan, said prayers were being offered for the dead, the wounded, and their families, as reported by Aleteia.
The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation, with no arrests announced by Jordanian authorities, as reported by Fox News.
Survivors say two masked gunmen began shooting as dozens attended a funeral procession, according to Al Jazeera (Qatar).
The attack highlights the unique situation of Jordan in the region, as a place of coexistence, as noted by Aleteia.
Background
The attack, which took place during a funeral procession, left 27 of the wounded receiving treatment in hospitals, according to Jordan's Health Ministry.
Gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan's Karak region, killing at least seven people and injuring 34 others.
What's confirmed
- "Jordan is home to historic Christian communities whose presence is an integral part of the country’s religious and cultural heritage." At least seven people were killed by gunmen who opened fire this October 23 at a funeral procession being held at a Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Hamoud, in the Karak governorate in Jordan.
- Jordan's King Abdullah II said the authorities would "confront the terrorist act that targeted Karak with the harshest penalties."
- CCTV in Jordan showed what appeared to be gunmen running toward a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, Jordan, where seven people were killed in what King Abdullah II called an act of terrorism. (Jordan TV via AP) Multiple gunmen opened fire and killed at least seven people Friday at a church in Jordan in what the country's leader is calling a " terrorist attack."
- JERUSALEM — Gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a church in Jordan on Friday, killing seven people and wounding 40 others, authorities said.
- Gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Jordan's Karak region, killing at least seven people and injuring 34 others, according to local authorities.
- Obaidullah Al-Maaytah told a press conference that seven people are confirmed dead after the assault on a Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Hamoud, and he said 27 of the wounded were receiving treatment in hospitals.
- At least seven people have been killed and 34 others wounded in a church shooting in Jordan, authorities said Friday.
What's still developing
- "May God protect Jordan—its leadership and its people—sustain the blessings of peace and harmony, and ensure that love and brotherhood remain stronger than terrorism and hatred."
- “At this painful moment, we stand in solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters in Jordan, especially the Greek Orthodox community, with the victims and their families, and with all the people of Jordan." The gunmen have not yet been apprehended.
- We also offer our prayers to God for the swift recovery of the injured, for patience and solace to be granted to the families of the victims, and for Jordan and its people to be protected from all evil and harm.
- The Director of Public Security Major General Abdullah Al-Maaytah said seven had died and 34 others injured in an attack by unidentified assailants during a funeral in Jordan's Karak region, about 180 kilometres south of the capital, Amman.