BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — An Alabama man accused of fatally shooting three people at a church potluck dinner last month has been indicted, according to court records.
Robert Findlay Smith was indicted for capital murder in the June 16 shooting at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, AL.com reported.
A Jefferson County grand jury this week indicted Smith in connection with the deaths of Walter “Bart” Rainey, 84, of Irondale; Sarah Yeager, 75, of Pelham; and Jane Pounds, 84, of Hoover, according to court records that were made public on Friday, the news outlet reported.
This is Robert Findlay Smith, charged with capital murder in the Alabama church shooting. pic.twitter.com/Mnr4QuFpcw
— carol robinson (@RobinsonCarol) June 17, 2022
“Smith has been indicted for capital murder for killing two or more people,’’ Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr said in a statement. “It is still very early in the prosecution of this case.
“We will be working closely with the families of those who lost their lives that terrible day, as well as the Vestavia Police Department, as we progress toward holding Smith accountable.”
The shooting occurred during a “Boomers Potluck” dinner that started at 5 p.m. at the church, located south of Birmingham, WBRC-TV reported.
There were about 25 people at the dinner in the parish hall and Smith, who had attended at least one previous potluck event at the church was sitting alone, according to AL.com.
A longtime parish member invited Smith to sit at another table with parishioners. After he refused, Smith allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot three people, according to the news outlet.
Jim Musgrove, a church member, hit the shooter with a chair and wrestled the gun away from him, AL.com reported.
Rainey died at the scene. Yeager and Pounds were taken to UAB Hospital where they later died, according to Capt. Shane Ware, a Vestavia Hills Police Department spokesperson.
Smith’s attorneys Emory Anthony and Moses Stone have not returned telephone calls seeking comment, according to The Associated Press.
Smith is being held without bail in the Jefferson County Jail, AL.com reported. A trial date has not yet been set.
©2022 Cox Media Group
