Seven people died and 34 were injured after gunmen attacked a funeral at a church in Jordan. Authorities are currently searching for the suspects.
Gunmen killed seven people during a funeral service in central Jordan on Friday. The attack took place at a church in the Karak governorate.
Also, at least 34 other people suffered injuries during the shooting. The unidentified attackers arrived in a car and entered the church building.
Next, the gunmen opened fire on those inside before fleeing the scene. No group has claimed responsibility for this violent act yet.
Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya stated that officials are working to catch the suspects. He described the attackers as a group of extremists.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah II promised to use the harshest penalties against those responsible. He called the shooting a terrorist act targeting the community.
After that, verified security footage showed three armed men walking toward the church. All three appeared to carry handguns during the incident.
Witnesses described scenes of total panic as the shooting lasted for about 15 minutes. About 200 people were inside the church at the time.
Many people threw themselves under pews to find safety from the bullets. Some attendees tried to flee while others cradled the dead and wounded.
Then, the gunmen left through the doors and escaped in a pickup truck. They continued firing their weapons as they drove away.
Following the attack, security forces gathered at a local hospital to manage the situation. The atmosphere remained tense as families mourned their loved ones.
Still, some local residents expressed frustration regarding current security measures. They called for a much tougher approach against future terrorist threats.
Finally, international leaders condemned the attack on the religious gathering. Such violence remains very rare in Jordan, but it has occurred before.