1 dead, 1 hurt in shooting at Mormon church in Northern Nevada

Las Vegas Review-Journal

6 years ago

Police in Fallon are trying to determine why John O’Conner walked into his Mormon church on Sunday, July 22, 2018, and opened fire, killing one man and injuring another. (Churchill County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

A woman who would only identify herself as a niece of shooting victim Charles “Bert” Miller, is joined by her children as she places flowers at a makeshift memorial Monday, July 23, 2018, in Fallon, outside the fire department where Miller was a longtime volunteer firefighter. (Scott Sonner/AP)

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 750 W. Richards St., Fallon (Google maps)

One churchgoer was killed and another was injured Sunday when a man opened fire in a Mormon church in Northern Nevada, officials said.

The gunfire began just before 1 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building in the small town of Fallon, about 60 miles east of Reno, according to city of Fallon news release.

Charles E. Miller, a 61-year-old known locally as “Bert,” was killed in the attack, officials said. The man who was injured has been released from the hospital.

Officials said the shooting does not appear to be an attack on the church, but on an individual. Investigators are still working to determine a motive.

Police arrested John K. O’Connor, 48, in the shooting, the release said. O’Connor, who was attending church services, fled to his home after the shooting, the release said. He agreed to surrender after police called his home, officials said.

The attack prompted responses on Twitter by elected officials.

“My family and I are praying for all loved ones, churchgoers, and community members impacted by this tragedy,” U.S. Sen. Dean Heller tweeted at about 4:30 p.m.

U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto also expressed condolences to those affected by the shooting.

“Places of worship should be a safe haven,” she tweeted. “The gun violence across this country must end.”

Contact Blake Apgar at bapgar@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5298. Follow @blakeapgar on Twitter.

Deeply saddened by the act of senseless violence in Fallon today at the LDS church. We are in contact with Mayor Tedford and other officials. My family and I are praying for all loved ones, churchgoers, and community members impacted by this tragedy.

— Dean Heller (@SenDeanHeller) July 22, 2018