While yelling about God and Allah, an ex-convict shot his father to death with a single handgun shot at an Easter Sunday church service in Ohio, marking a tragedy on this most important day for Christians around the world.
The suspect, 28-year-old Reshad Riddle, appeared Monday afternoon in Ashtabula Municipal Court with chains on wrist and ankles. Riddle rambled about God and said he wanted to be treated fairly, according to ABC News. Prosecutor asked for $1 million bail and, if he makes it, a psychiatric evaluation and 24-hour monitoring.
Sean Adams, associate pastor of Hiawatha Church of God in Christ, told Star Beacon that worshippers started screaming, ducking down and calling 911 on cellphones after the shooting.
“It was terrifying,” he said. “The children were screaming…we were afraid to breathe.”
After the shooting, the gunman continued into the church and yelled that the killing was “the will of Allah. This is the will of God,” Adams told the newspaper.
Reshad Riddle was quickly subdued by officers, who arrived just moments after the shooting. CBS News reports that he has been mostly cooperative.
Court records show Reshad Riddle has an extensive criminal record: two counts of felonious assault, kidnapping, abduction and tampering with evidence in 2006, 2007, and 2009.
According to police reports, one of the felonious assault charges were a result of Reshad Riddle allegedly attempted to cut his girlfriend’s throat.
Members of the church said Reshad Riddle was a member of the church as a child, but did not attend services regularly as an adult.
"No one would have thought twice about him being here with his family on Easter," Adams told the newspaper. "His family (has) been members here for years and years."
