Karak church shooting kills seven as king orders harshest penalties
Three gunmen fired for 15 minutes at a funeral in central Jordan, injuring 34 others and prompting a royal decree for maximum punishment.
By Carolina Wood ·
Seven mourners died and at least 34 others suffered injuries during a 15 minute shooting spree at a church in Hmoud, Karak governorate, on Friday. The attack began when three unidentified men arrived by car, entered the building, and opened fire on the congregation. They fled in a pickup truck, continuing to shoot as they drove away.
Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya identified the attackers as a group of extremists at a news conference. He described the event as painful and horrific, noting it was unparalleled in the history of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Authorities have not yet named the specific individuals involved, and no group has claimed responsibility for the violence.
King Abdullah II responded to the incident by instructing officials to confront the terrorist act with the harshest penalties. The royal statement emphasized a strict judicial response to the targeting of the Karak area. Initial reports on the death toll were inconsistent, with government spokespersons first citing six deaths before officials confirmed the final count of seven.
Witnesses inside the church described a scene of panic as gunfire erupted seconds after a prayer. Khalid al-Mdanat, who was present, stated that people tried to flee while the shooting was still active. He observed the gunmen exit through the main doors and escape in a vehicle. Another woman inside reported that the situation escalated for ten continuous minutes, leaving bodies in the courtyards when she finally exited.
CCTV footage verified by the BBC shows the three men approaching the church from a road. Two of them initially entered a vehicle entrance, retreated briefly, and returned with the third man. All three appeared to carry handguns. Aftermath footage captures dead and wounded individuals lying on the ground in chaotic conditions.
Security forces closed roads near the hospital in Karak where the wounded were treated, forcing some patients to walk to their vehicles. Security was tightened further ahead of King Abdullah II's visit to see the injured. Families gathered at the hospital entrance, displaying shock and anger. Some residents voiced frustration regarding previous approaches to dealing with terrorists in the region.
Karak is home to a sizeable Christian community in the majority Muslim country. While such violence is rare, deadly attacks have occurred in the past. Lebanon President Joseph Aoun condemned the incident as a heinous terrorist attack. He stated that the violence violated the sanctity of death and contradicted all religious and humanitarian values.
