US: Woman, child and pastor shot in Alabama church

A man has been charged with attempted murder after shooting a woman, a child and a pastor inside a church in Alabama. James Minter was arrested after a shooting at the Oasis Tabernacle Church in East Selma on Sunday (20 September.)

The shooting happened during the church service around 10:25 a.m., according to Selma Police Officer Lt. Curtis Muhannad. Muhannad said Minter was sitting on the front row with his family when he started shooting with a handgun.

The woman was shot in the face and the shoulder, the child was shot in the hand and the preacher Robert Carlswell, the pastor of Oasis Tabernacle, was shot in the leg.

"He took a seat on the bench on the front row with his family, and then he just got into it, pulled a weapon and started shooting," Muhannad said.

According to Jackson, Minter's girlfriend and her child have been transported to a Birmingham hospital for further treatment. All three are in stable condition.

District Attorney Michael Jackson said The Dallas County prosecutor said the attack stems from a domestic issue between Minter and the woman. The pastor is white, while Minter and the two other victims are black, however, according to Mr Jackson, the shooting did not appear to be racially motivated.

Minter is being held at the Dallas County Jail without bond, and could face life in prison for each charge.