70-Year-Old Man Indicted by Grand Jury for Triple Slaying at Alabama Church

Photo: Jefferson County Jail/AP/Shutterstock

Robert Findlay Smith was arrested last month after police responded to an active shooting scene at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, a wealthy suburb of Birmingham.

This week, he was indicted for the slayings of Walter “Bart” Rainey of Irondale, 84, Sarah Yeager of Pelham, 75, and Jane Pounds of Hoover, 84,AL.comreported.

“Smith has been indicted for capital murder for killing two or more people,” District Attorney Danny Carr told the outlet on Friday. “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 we progress toward holding Smith accountable.”

TheAssociated Pressreported that the shootings occurred during a gathering of about 25 people, including Smith, for a “Boomers Potluck” dinner in the late afternoon of June 16. Smith had previously attended the event and worship services at the church, per officials, the outlet said.

A church member reportedly approached Smith while he was sitting alone at the dinner to invite him to join the other attendees. He declined the invite and started to open fire at others with his handgun, shooting three people.

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Rainey was pronounced dead at the scene, while Yeager and Pelham died after being transported to a hospital. The motive for the killings is still unknown.

Smith is currentlyheld with no bondin the Jefferson County Jail while waiting for his trial date to be announced.

source: people.com