Gunfire interrupted the 11 a.m. Sunday worship service at a large Southern Baptist church in suburban Philadelphia April 24, leaving one church member dead and investigators trying to decide whether to bring charges against another.
Authorities say Robert Braxton, 27, a member of Keystone Fellowship Church in Montgomery Township, Pa., died of multiple gunshot wounds to the chest fired during an altercation with another church member in a space between two sections of seating while music was playing during the service.
The other church member, who has not been identified but is licensed to carry a concealed weapon, is reportedly not in custody but cooperating with police, who are still investigating whether the shooting “was justified under the law.”
Members of Keystone Fellowship Church gathered Monday night at the Skippack facility, one of four campuses in the multi-site congregation started in 2000 by Pastor John Cope. Cope moved from Lakeland, Fla., with support from First Baptist Church in Orlando, Fla., to plant an evangelistic Bible-teaching church in the greater Philadelphia region.
“We should be angry at the situation,” Cope said at the memorial service covered by The Reporter in Lansdale, Pa. “We should be, but we’ve got to deal with anger in a healthy way.”
“I’m angry at this situation,” Cope said. “I know Robby, I met Robby. Lord, we know that he’s not here, but he’s with you.”
