Man Shoots Father-in-Law While Waiting for Communion
An Ogden, Utah man was arrested for shooting his father-in-law while in a church service on Sunday. Charles Richard Jennings, 35, was arrested after a nearly 4-hour-long police search.
"This was a very specific, desired target and action taken by the suspect," Ogden Police Lt. Danielle Croyle told the Deseret News.
Jennings walked into a local church and shot his father-in-law in the back of the head while he was attending church. The victim, whose name has not been released, was lining up for communion when the incident occurred. The shooting took place inside the church in front of his family and friends.
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Jennings then fled the scene and had to ditch a stolen truck when it ran out of gas; he called his family for help, but they called the police instead. He finally surrendered to the police and was arrested, bringing relief to the community.
"The day that I can't even hang out in the backyard with my daughter, that's a pretty sad day," the owner of the truck said. "I knew I had to keep calm. I didn't know how that was going to end. The thought that my daughter was involved in it is horrifying for me," he added.
Reverend Erik Richtsteig said that his congregation was extremely shaken up, but several parishioners went after the gunman as he fled the building.
"Nowhere is immune from evil and it's what people do when they're confronted with it that really shows their character," Richtsteig said. "I'm really proud of my people here at the church … this is something no one should have to go through."
Jennings' father-in-law was listed in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery following the shooting. Neighbors insist that they don't know what would have caused Jennings to shoot someone else.
"I never pictured him as somebody who would kill somebody," neighbor Bill Roe told KUTV.com. "He's happy-go-lucky."
"I was shocked – like I said, he doesn't seem like that type of person," added Tammy Roe.
