A tragic shooting recently took place at a Tennessee church that welcomes LGBT people.
On Sun., July 27, a man opened fire at Knoxville's Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. Two people were killed and six others were injured. Currently, police are investigating the shooting as a possible hate crime.
The shooter, 58-year-old Jim D. Adkisson, reportedly hated the liberal views of the church, which also welcomes LGBT people. A letter found in his vehicle by police after the shooting indicated that he hated the 'liberal movement' of the church.
According to the Associated Press, an investigator said Adkisson believes all liberals should be killed. The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that Adkisson is a loner who hates anyone different from him, including gays.
Adkisson, an out-of-work trucker, opened fire during a children's musical at the church. He is currently being held on $1 million bond, and has admitted to the shooting.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force responded to the church shooting. 'We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of those whose lives were lost yesterday and wish a full recovery to those who were injured,' said Executive Director Rea Carey in a statement. 'This attack is tragic, abominable and senseless. We pray and hope for comfort to the families of the victims and to the congregants of this welcoming church. Our deepest sympathies are with everyone affected by this terrible event. We condemn any crime motivated by hate or bias.'