Gunman shot by officers after disrupting church Christmas party | Crime

Terror at a Millington Church Sunday as the congregation was preparing for a Christmas party.

Millington police responded to a shooting call Sunday outside First United Methodist Church and found a man armed with a rifle and possibly a pistol.

"It was just a shock that somebody would feel the need to come to the church with a gun," said First United Methodist Church member Linda Sunderland.

It happened around 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in the 8000 Block of Wilkinsville.

"A man came into the gym where they were setting up for a Christmas party and startled the two ladies that were working and setting up and he wanted food. He was pretty irate. He came over and was hammering on the door to the food pantry wanting to get in," said Sunderland.

When the first officer arrived, he encountered the suspect, then ordered him to drop the weapon.  

When the suspect refused, investigators said officers fired in self-defense hitting the suspect one time in the lower right arm.

"I'm just glad the ladies that were working and setting up for the party weren't hurt because they're wonderful ladies," said Sunderland.

The man who was shot was transferred to The MED and is in non-critical condition.