An Easter service turned deadly in northeast Ohio Sunday when a man opened fire at a church, leaving one man dead.
The shooting took place around 1:15 p.m., soon after Easter services ended, according to Joan Crockett, a member of the Hiawatha Church of God In Christ.
"It's such a tragic loss," she said.
The victim was Richard Riddle, 52, and the shooter was his son, who was taken into custody, according to media reports.
Dispatchers received multiple calls about the shooting from people inside the church, according to Ashtabula Police Chief Robert Stell. There were immediate fears of a mass shooting, and at least six additional law enforcement agencies rushed to assist the local police.
Congregants were leaving after mass had ended, according to the church's pastor, who spoke to the Plain Dealer newspaper in Cleveland. They heard a gunshot on the way out.
"It was terrifying," Associate Pastor Sean Adams told the Star Beacon. "The children were screaming and people were dialing 911. We were afraid to breathe."
Rashad Riddle came into the church and, according to witnesses, yelled, "The will of Allah. This is the will of God."
"People pushed me into a back office and said, 'Somebody's here with a gun,'" said the Rev. David Howard, Jr. "The guy was outside hollering and acting crazy."
According to reports, Riddle waited outside the church until his family came out. He said something, and then shot his father. He then remained at the scene until police arrived and ordered him to put down his gun, which he did. He was then taken into custody.
There were no reports of any additional injuries.
The church has about 175 members, according to Howard. Churchgoers were unaware of what caused the shooting
County Coroner Pamela Lancaster said the wound was "immediately fatal," according to the Star Beacon. The body will be transferred to the Cuyahoga County coroner's office for autopsy.
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