Melanie Smith ID’d As Woman Killed In Tennessee Church Shooting

Police have named Melanie Smith of Smyrna, Tennessee, as the woman who was fatally shot by Emanuel Kidega Samson at the Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Tennessee. She was 39.

A Metropolitan Nashville police spokesman said Smith was shot Sunday outside the Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in the Nashville neighborhood of Antioch.

Police say Smith was shot as she left the church, and the suspect then proceeded inside.

Aaron says the suspect, 25-year-old Samson, had two pistols when he entered the church. Cops says Samson came to the United States from Sudan in 1996 and was a legal U.S. resident “but not necessarily a U.S. citizen.” Samson had a Tennessee driver’s license. source

Aaron says six others were shot, and the church’s usher, 22-year-old Robert Engle, was pistol-whipped by Samson, who then apparently shot himself.

Aaron says church members indicated Samson attended the church one to two years ago.

Police say Samson will be charged with murder and attempted murder.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Smith family and friends at this difficult time.