60-year-old Greg McKendry was one of two victims who succumbed to gunshot wounds after a gunman opened fire in the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church on Sunday, July 27, 2008.The New York Times: Man charged in Tenn. church shooting that killed 2 (July 28, 3008) Witnesses said that McKendry shielded church members to protect them as the gunman shot into the congregation.International Herald Tribune: Slain Church Member Remembered As Hero... (July 28, 2008)
McKendry Hailed as a Hero
"Just make sure you let people know that Greg McKendry is a hero, an absolute hero. He stood in front of the bullets and...actually took the bullets to save the child."Knoxville News Sentinel (TN): Church Remembers Victim As Generous 'wonderful' Man : Tvuu Church Shooting (July 27, 2008)—Taylor Bessette, Foster Son of McKendry
"He's the kind of guy who wouldn't hesitate at all to try to do something to help, no matter what happened...If he saw a problem, he was going to confront it."Knoxville News Sentinel (TN): Church Remembers Victim As Generous 'wonderful' Man : Tvuu Church Shooting (July 27, 2008)—Bill Dockery, Church Member
The Shooting
The gunman was identified as 58-year-old Jim Adkisson. He has been charged with first-degree murder. Linda Kraeger also died a few hours after the shooting. Five others were seriously injured.The New York Times: Man charged in Tenn. church shooting that killed 2 (July 28, 3008)
Greg McKendry Blogs and Commentaries
- Cafe Talk: God Speed Greg McKendry (July 27, 2008)
