The shooting that occurred on Sunday at a church in Pennsylvania has been investigated, and today police released their findings during a press conference.
Here is the timeline of events, as outlined during the press conference:
Storms was arrested today and charged with voluntary manslaughter and recklessly endangering others.
- The victim, 27-year-old Robert Braxton, was a part of a verbal altercation when a congregation member sitting behind him, tapped Braxton on the shoulder and told him that his seat was already taken.
- A verbal argument occurred, and Braxton was later calmed down and things settled. Church members came to Braxton to calm things down and then walked away once things were settled.
- The defendant, identified as 46-year-old Mark Storms, then approached Braxton with his firearm already out, as well as a badge.
- The badge was determined to be a badge stating that he is a concealed carrier, likely similar to this one.
- A physical altercation then occurred, and punches were thrown between Braxton and Storms.
- Storms then fired two shots at Braxton, killing him.
District Attorney Kevin Steele announced the charges of Voluntary Manslaughter and Reckless Endangerment against 46-year-old Mark Storms of Lansdale.
27-year-old Robert Braxton III of Montgomeryville was killed during a service Sunday at Keystone Fellowship Church on the 400 block of Stump Road in Montgomeryville.
According to Steele, the incident began when the victim created a disturbance during the service.
"Braxton was creating a disturbance during the 11 a.m. church service after a fellow church member sitting behind him touched his shoulder, apparently telling him that he'd taken an already occupied seat," Steele said.
Witnesses say they saw church ushers and an associate pastor intervene and talk to Braxton. They then left with him remaining in the seat.
"Witnesses then saw the victim calming down and saw the shooter come over. When he came over he had a gun out," Steele said.
Storms, who authorities say has no official function with the church or any history of law enforcement, approached Braxton and displayed a Concealed Weapons Permit badge. He then told Braxton he had to leave the sanctuary.
"The badge that defendant showed the victim was a permit to carry a concealed weapon that he seemingly purchased online," Steele said.
Authorities say Braxton took a swing at Storms, punching him in the jaw.
Storms then fired two shots from his .9mm semi-automatic handgun, striking and killing Braxton.
Steele says the shooting was not a reasonable self-defense situation.
Punching a guy in the jaw who already had a gun in his hand was stupid
What was stupid was not continuing the attack. If you're going to punch someone with a gun in their hand keep whaling on them
Storms told investigators he thought he was in "great danger" and was "worried about the other people in the church," including his wife and son.
He said he'd shown the fake badge during a prior situation, and "the guy walked away."
"It is clear the shooter brought a gun to a crowded church, he introduced that gun into a verbal altercation that turned into a fistfight, and then fired the gun twice aiming at the vital part of the body, killing the victim," Steele said.
Authorities say they conducted more than 50 witness interviews.
The Braxtons say they are moving forward with the help of their spirituality.
"As a church family, we are still going to love and support your family," said Robert Braxton Jr.
Braxton's funeral is set for Saturday.
Storms was arraigned Thursday afternoon and bail was set at $250,000 cash bail.
If convicted on both charges, Storms is looking at more than 20 years behind bars.
Agree, pretty stupid all around.
Note that the story I posted has been updated with more information. From 6 ABC News | Montgomery County Church Member Charged In Fatal-Shooting:
...."It is clear the shooter brought a gun to a crowded church, he introduced that gun into a verbal altercation that turned into a fistfight, and then fired the gun twice aiming at the vital part of the body, killing the victim," Steele said.
I found the part I put in bold to be rather sensationalistic nonsense coming from the cop investigating the shooting.
Blues
Wearing a CCW Badge tells everybody, "I'm armed, shoot me first". Just as well have a billboard on you head and a target center mass.
What's the sense of carrying a badge that has no authority, and carrying it in your pocket where it can't be seen? Sounds childish.
You sound childish!!!
Badges are cool, and they do display authority. And you know what authority I have when I'm carrying one? The authority to blow some hapless dirtbag all the way to Hell. You feel me, bro?
Wearing a CCW Badge tells everybody, "I'm armed, shoot me first". Just as well have a billboard on you head and a target center mass.
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