Distraught Tennessee Man Opens Fire During Church Service

By Pamela Mortimer

Jim D. Adkisson, 58, is being held on $1 million bail as a result of Sunday’s shooting at a Knoxville, Tennessee Unitarian church. Adkisson has been charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of two parishioners. Five others were injured.

According to officials, Adkisson left a four page letter detailing his frustration with being unemployed and his devout hatred of liberals and gays. Adkisson had expected to be shot and killed by police.

"It appears that what brought him to this horrible event was his lack of being able to obtain a job, his frustration over that, and his stated hatred for the liberal movement," Knoxville Police Chief Sterling Owen IV said at a press conference Monday.

City spokesman Randy Kenner said that Adkisson would appear at a preliminary hearing on August 5. It is unknown if Adkisson has an attorney.

Authorities said are investigating the tragedy as a possible hate crime.

"Anytime someone uses force to obstruct another person in the free exercise of their religious beliefs that is a violation of the federal civil rights statutes," FBI Agent Richard Lambert said Monday.

Reports state that Adkisson carried a shotgun in a guitar case. He pulled out the gun during a children's performance of "Annie." Police recovered three spent rounds and over 70 shotgun shells.

Parishioners sprung into action and tackled Adkisson but not until after two church members were dead. No children were harmed in the melee.

Greg McKendry, 60, was identified as the slain man. Church member Barbara Kemper said that McKendry, a longtime church member and usher, "stood in the front of the gunman and took the blast to protect the rest of us."

The second victim, Linda Kraeger, 61, died at the University of Tennessee Medical Center a few hours after the shooting, officials said.

Members said they "dove under pews or ran from the building when the shooting started."

Five of those injured remain in critical or serious condition at a local hospital. Two others suffered from minor injuries, were treated, and released.

Kemper said the gunman shouted before he opened fire.

"It was hateful words. He was saying hateful things," she said, but refused to elaborate.

The shooting is particularly surprising considering that the church, much like many other Unitarian Universalist churches, promotes progressive social work, women’s issues, and is gay and lesbian friendly.