Shooting outside Ashtabula church after Easter service leaves one man dead

Shooting outside Ashtabula church after Easter service leaves one man dead

Associated Press

ASHTABULA

Police in Northeast Ohio are investigating a shooting outside a church that has reportedly left one man dead after an Easter service today.

Ashtabula police would not immediately confirm the fatality; an officer answering the telephone would say only that authorities were investigating.

A member of the Hiawatha Church of God in Christ said the man was shot soon after Easter services ended, at about 1:15 p.m. today. Joan Crockett said the man knew the shooter, and that a suspect was taken into custody. She said the wounded man died.

The Plain Dealer of Cleveland reported that the church’s pastor said congregants were leaving the church when they heard a gunshot.

“People pushed me into a back office and said, ‘Somebody’s here with a gun,”’ said the Rev. David Howard Jr. “The guy was outside hollering and acting crazy.”

There were no immediate reports of any other injuries.

He said the church has about 175 members. He said people at the church didn’t know what led up to the shooting.

“It’s such a tragic loss,” Crockett said.