Deacon killed in shooting at church Easter egg hunt in Mississippi

A Mississippi deacon suffered fatal injuries successful a shooting that broke retired Saturday during an Easter ovum hunt hosted by his church,  according to the religion and section police.

Empowerment Ministries Christian Center, which describes itself arsenic a non-denominational ministry located successful the confederate Mississippi metropolis of Gulfport, identified the deacon arsenic Eddie Shed, who besides served arsenic its caput of security. The religion said the shooting was not carried retired by anyone affiliated with its ministry, and Shed was killed portion attempting to intervene. 

Gunfire erupted astatine astir 2:05 p.m. section clip during the Easter ovum hunt, held successful Gulfport's Jack and Florence Goldin Park, according to the Gulfport Police Department. In a quality release, the section said a kid custody quality prompted the shooting, and the fishy "reportedly brandished a firearm and opened fire, striking 2 individuals who were attempting to deescalate (sic) the argument." Witnesses told CBS News affiliate WLOX that Shed had stepped successful to support children successful the vicinity erstwhile the shooting started. He was pronounced dormant astatine the scene.

The different injured idiosyncratic was airlifted to a infirmary extracurricular of Mississippi, said Gulfport Police. They identified the fishy arsenic 24-year-old Tyran Deion Gable, of Saucier, Mississippi, who suffered gunshot wounds arsenic well. Responding officers took Gable to a section infirmary aft the shooting, according to the constabulary department. He faces charges of first-degree execution and aggravated battle and is being held without enslaved connected the execution charge.

Shed has been heralded for his work and valor by Empowerment Ministries Christian Center, whose pastor Gregg Magee said in a societal media station that the deacon's actions "ultimately saved others from harm." 

"Our beloved Deacon Eddie Shed was taken from america successful a senseless enactment of weapon violence," the pastor said. "Deacon Shed was a pillar of spot wrong our assemblage and a beacon of airy and hope. His unwavering faith, kindness, and dedication to serving others person near an indelible people connected each who knew him."

Official Statement from Empowerment Ministries Christian Center April 12, 2025 It is with dense hearts that we, the...

Posted by The Empowerment Ministries Christian Center on Saturday, April 12, 2025

Praising Shed successful a separate post, the religion asked assemblage members to lend to a GoFundMe run created Sunday to enactment his family, including Shed's woman and 3 children.

"We are heartbroken by the nonaccomplishment of Deacon Eddie Shed, a existent leader taken from america excessively soon. His courageousness and committedness to our assemblage volition ne'er beryllium forgotten. He dedicated his beingness to serving others, leaving down a loving family, including his woman Doris and their children," the Empowerment Ministries Christian Center said successful the post. "In this challenging time, we are asking for your assistance to enactment the Shed family. Every publication made done our GoFundMe volition easiness their fiscal load and grant Deacon Eddie's unthinkable bequest of emotion and service."

The fundraiser had collected astir $4,700 of its $25,000 extremity arsenic of Monday morning.

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• Shooting
• Mississippi