On September 24, Emanuel Samson opened fire on churchgoers at Burnette Chapel in Antioch. One woman was fatally shot and eight other individuals were injured, including the gunman.
Two of the injured victims are Lipscomb alumni. David “Joey” Span, the pastor of Burnette Chapel and a Bible teacher at Nashville Christian School, graduated with a degree in Kinesiology in 1974.
William “Don” Jenkins is a 1957 Business Administration graduate and the grandfather of current Lipscomb student Marlena Jenkins. Katherine Dickerson, another victim, is the mother of Josh Dickerson, a 2004 College of Business graduate.
Burnette Chapel resumed services just one week following the attack. People from around the country attended the service to show their support for the victims and the church community. Spann, who was released from the hospital Wednesday, was in attendance and spoke briefly. His wife Peggy remains hospitalized at Vanderbilt Medical Center with other victims
The church body is receiving grief counseling from Metro Police Department Chaplains through the church’s insurance. Special counseling is being provided for those who were shot or are going through Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Lipscomb has been on site at both the church and hospital since the attack occurred and has assisted Burnette Chapel’s leadership in making plans and creating processes for the future.
Lipscomb Building and Grounds also clean up the building before the first worship service and the university’s counseling center has been of assistance to the church members as well.
Photo courtesy of The Tennessean