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Police say man left letter saying he shot churchgoers over liberal views

An out-of-work truck driver accused of opening fire at a Unitarian church, killing two people, left behind a note suggesting that he targeted the congregation out of hatred for its liberal policies, including its acceptance of gays, authorities said on Thursday.

  • AP
  • Published: 23:47 July 29, 2008
  • Gulf News

Knoxville, Tennessee: An out-of-work truck driver accused of opening fire at a Unitarian church, killing two people, left behind a note suggesting that he targeted the congregation out of hatred for its liberal policies, including its acceptance of gays, authorities said on Thursday.

A four-page letter found in suspect Jim D. Adkisson's small sport utility vehicle indicated he intentionally targeted the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church because, the police chief said, "he hated the liberal movement" and was upset with "liberals in general as well as gays".

Sanctuary

The Unitarian-Universalist church advocates for women's rights and gay rights and has provided sanctuary for political refugees. It also has fed the homeless and founded a chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, according to its website.

Adkisson, 58, had 76 rounds with him when he entered the church and pulled a shotgun from a guitar case during a children's performance of the musical Annie. Adkisson's ex-wife once belonged to the church but hadn't attended in years, said Ted Jones, the congregation's president.

Police investigators described Adkisson as a "stranger" to the congregation, and police spokesman Darrell DeBusk declined to comment on whether investigators think the link to the former wife's was a factor in the attack.

Million-dollar bond

Adkisson remained jailed yesterday on $1 million (Dh3.67 million) bond after being charged with one count of murder. More charges were expected. Four victims were hospitalised in critical condition.

"It appears that what brought him to this horrible event was his lack of being able to obtain a job, his frustration over that, and his stated hatred for the liberal movement," Police Chief Sterling Owen said.

Court records showed that his former wife, Liza Alexander, obtained an order of protection in March 2000 while the two were still married and living in a Knoxville suburb.

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