Tragic Story: Gunman Opens Fire in a Colorado Church Killing the Pastor’s Mother

Josephine Eccles, best known as Mother Joe, was killed Sunday after a gunman opened fire at The Destiny Center Chrurch in Aurora, Colorado. According to church representative Yolanda Marant, someone ran inside the church and yelled for the others to “get down” as the gunman, who was following the person, began firing. Authorities can’t confirm if Eccles was a target or simply caught in the crossfire. Eccles was the mother of the church’s pastor, Delono Straham, who moved from Michigan to Colorado to open the church.

An off-duty Denver Police officer was at the church at the time of the shooting and confronted the suspect outside of the church, Marant told FOX31 Denver. Aurora Police confirm the off-duty officer did shoot the suspect, who was then transported to the hospital where he died from his injuries. Police can confirm that at least a dozen shots were fired during the bizarre incident.

The gunman may have been involved in an earlier dispute, though police have not confirmed the shooter’s motive. The church posted the following statement of its Facebook page:

“Please keep Pastor Delono Straham, the Straham family and The Destiny Center in your prayers. Thank you!”

It sounds as if someone was being chased by an armed person, and ran into the church for protection. However, the church didn’t stop the shooter from firing his gun and that’s when everything went downhill. We send our condolences to everyone effected mentally and physically by this tragedy.

DO YOU THINK CHURCHES SHOULD INSTALL METAL DETECTORS? OR WOULD THAT SEND THE WRONG MESSAGE?