Editor's note: A former employee of televangelist Creflo Dollar's Atlanta-area megachurch is suspected of fatally shooting one of the church's volunteer staff members as the volunteer was leading a prayer service there Wednesday morning, police say. The suspect, Floyd Palmer, 52, was arrested hours later at an Atlanta mall, the U.S. Marshals Service told CNN. Below are developments as they come in; for more on the shooting and Dollar's church, check out this story, and CNN affiliates WXIA, WSB and WGCL.
[Updated at 4:27 p.m. ET] The suspect in the shooting, Floyd Palmer, 52, was arrested Wednesday afternoon at Atlanta's Lenox Square mall, the U.S. Marshals Service says.
Earlier, police said Palmer was an former employee of World Changers Church International in College Park, Georgia, where the shooting happened Wednesday morning during a prayer service.
[Updated at 12:39 p.m. ET] The man who died was a volunteer staff member who was leading a prayer service for about 20 people at the church when he was shot, and investigators believe the gunman was a former church member and facilities maintenance employee, police said.
The suspect, Floyd Palmer, 52, is on the loose, according to police. The shooting happened at World Changers Church International in College Park, Georgia, where Palmer worked until August, authorities said.
Police said the victim was 39, but his name hasn't been released. A police spokeswoman said she didn't know whether the victim was targeted specifically, and she didn't know whether Palmer knew the victim.
Police, citing witnesses, said Palmer entered the church calmly, shot the victim, and calmly left the building.
[Updated at 11:37 a.m. ET] A man has died after being shot Wednesday morning at the suburban Atlanta megachurch of televangelist pastor Creflo Dollar, a Fulton County Police Department spokeswoman says.
The shooter is on the loose, Fulton County police Cpl. Kay Lester added. The victim's identity hasn't been released.
[Posted at 11:04 a.m. ET] At least one person was shot Wednesday morning at the suburban Atlanta megachurch of pastor Creflo Dollar, and police are looking for the gunman, authorities say.
The shooting happened at a chapel in the World Changers Church International in College Park, Georgia, a police spokeswoman told CNN. CPR was being performed on the victim, whose identity wasn't immediately released, CNN affiliate WXIA reported.
The church does have a morning service, but Fulton County police Cpl. Kay Lester said she didn't know whether the service was in progress at the time of the shooting.
The church claims about 30,000 members. Dollar is a high-profile preacher of the Prosperity Gospel, whose message in part is that God promised generosity in this life and that believers can claim it.
Since he started his ministry in an elementary school cafeteria in 1986, Dollar has received praise and criticism. Supporters say he has preached a message that's financially empowered his parishioners and challenged the idea that Christians should be ashamed to be rich. Critics call him "Cash-Flow Dollar" and say his message perverts the Gospel.
Dollar produces a "Changing Your World" TV program that is shown on various cable and satellite TV networks.
The only reason to bring Palin back into the spotlight is so we can see more of Tina Fey. Other than that, Palin should stay in Alaska.
Thanks for the insite, now get back to E-Baum's world.
in that so called church nothing surprises me
I guess you will not find the chicago shootings each night a surprise either...your dear leader's hometown!
"I guess you will not find the chicago shootings each night a surprise either...your dear leader's hometown!"
last i saw there are shootings daily all over the country, not sure why chicago holds such a fascination for you or what you think it shows by mentioning it specifically or even what you think the connection to that is to Obama.
Thought nothing bad could happen to these believers. Isn't that what they preach?
actually they believe god wants them to be rich, say from investments, stocks, and stuff like insurance money from when someone dies.......oh hey!
That's the perfect place to be wasted by a lunatic. Let's face it, why shouldn't one get offed by a loonie at CreFlo Dollars church? What better place for a lunatic to find other lunatics!
Now make sure you send CreFlo 100 dollars because he's going to need a vacation after this stressful situation.
Wouldn't it be nice to take tax exempt status away from these mega churchs?
Mega Death at Mega Church
These negative posting is typical of americans who live in a house with a picket fence. You talk about black on black crime but don't see the white on white crime. All these mass murders are white, these baby killers are white, and the stealers of american's money is white. Crime is not a race issue, it's an american issue. Crime is everywhere, whether you live in Hollywood or Dollywood, you will either see, hear or be exposed to crime. So, judging every time a crime happens it's someone black. Well of course the likelihood of the shooter being black is 99% because majority of the members there are black.
I'm lost. What was your point?
"Well of course the likelihood of the shooter being black is 99% because majority of the members there are black"
Yeah, that and the fact that blacks commit a hugely disproportionate amount of the violent crime in America.
Let's not forget that.
Amen....Niambi
IN GOD WE TRUST IS ON THE BUCK, SO JOIN THIS CHURCH TO CHANGE YOUR LUCK.
If The Christian GOD did not want his name on it it would not be there, so get as many as you can, to buy a trip to the promised land.
Palin doing an impression of Tina Fey is a hoot.
The Lord works in mysterious ways!
When logic fail, this would be the desperate answer of a faithful.
Maybe 99% of the membership is black because the whites in the area have sense enough not to believe that crap.
As for removing the tax exempt status of Mega churches; it should be removed from all churches.
99% because whites have too much sense...really? well, go share that with the folks that follow Oral Roberts, Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, Joyce Meyer. A lot of their philosophy is prosperity gospel and last I checked their followers weren't 99% black.
In God's house? Why didn't Almighty God do something? This is hard to believe. Sorry, but things like this make me doubt that anyone up there is in charge.
it was obviously god's will so they should be shouting hallelujah and other assorted praises.
Some people are just plain stupid. Some how this is gonna be Creflo's fault. Pray for the family and quit throwing stones when you live in a glass house.
Tax exempt status should certainly be removed from all churches.
Either that or we should stop sending tax-paid services like ambulances in when their members start killing each other.
Thats one way to reduce our ability to feed the poor, provide halfways houses and indogent care. Yup, give those dollars to a goverment who promotes generational dependency on itself thru welfare. Or maybe you understand the word slavery better. You really should take a look at the amount of monies spent on the poor and needy by the church before you make statements like that.
"Thats one way to reduce our ability to feed the poor, provide halfways houses and indogent care. Yup, give those dollars to a goverment who promotes generational dependency on itself thru welfare."
yeah, its much better to have those poor dependent on church welfare instead, thats much better, or does that welfare magicially change depending on its source with you?
Romney will probablyu buy this church out soon...
awe. You have no money? Well get off your welfare butt and get a job. I know it's easier to collect a check from the govt than to actually contribute to society. Leaches everywhere under obomba...
ahaha you made me laugh. That was funny indeed!
Jay jay – your response made zero sense. Was that intentional, or do you have comprehension issues?
Maybe you could buy an education and learn how to spell? What's wrong? Jealous? Are you a sponge on society? Probably with that weak comment.
"huh?
@Sam: what don't you understand?"
I think he didnt understand how jayjay went from a comment about romney buying the church to assuming the poster had no money and was on welfare. There, I hope you understood that now its been explained to you.