One dead in shooting on property of Pulaski County church

John Eric Schmidt
John Eric Schmidt

Authorities say one person was killed in a shooting on the property of a church Tuesday morning in Pulaski County.

Pulaski County sheriff's office Lt. Chris Ameling said authorities were called to Graves Memorial Baptist Church at 4617 Oak Grove Road shortly before 6:30 a.m. to investigate a report of shots fired during a disturbance.

Ameling said one person, identified as Chad Johnson, was suffering from a gunshot wound at the scene. Johnson was taken by helicopter to Baptist Health Medical Center and died on the way, Ameling said.

The shooter was identified by police as 53-year-old John Eric Schmidt. He is facing a charge of second-degree murder.

An arrest report said Schmidt confronted Johnson in the church parking lot after his gate was damaged in an earlier incident.

"Altercation ensued between subject and victim," the report said. "During the altercation, subject shot victim, which led to his death."

Schmidt was also taken to the hospital with injuries suffered in the altercation, police said, before being booked into the Pulaski County jail shortly before 12:40 p.m. He remained there later Tuesday afternoon with bail not yet set.

Ameling said the shooting had nothing to do with the church, adding that it "just happened to be on church property."

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Graves Memorial Baptist Church

Graves Memorial Baptist Church

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