A Mississippi deacon suffered fatal injuries in a shooting that broke out Saturday during an Easter egg hunt hosted by his church, according to the church and local police.
Empowerment Ministries Christian Center, which describes itself as a non-denominational ministry located in the southern Mississippi city of Gulfport, identified the deacon as Eddie Shed, who also served as its head of security. The church said the shooting was not carried out by anyone affiliated with its ministry, and Shed was killed while attempting to intervene.
Gunfire erupted at around 2:05 p.m. local time during the Easter egg hunt, held in Gulfport’s Jack and Florence Goldin Park, according to the Gulfport Police Department. In a news release, the department said a child custody dispute prompted the shooting, and the suspect “reportedly brandished a firearm and opened fire, striking two individuals who were attempting to deescalate (sic) the argument.” Witnesses told CBS News affiliate WLOX that Shed had stepped in to protect children in the vicinity once the shooting started. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other injured person was airlifted to a hospital outside of Mississippi, said Gulfport Police. They identified the suspect as 24-year-old Tyran Deion Gable, of Saucier, Mississippi, who suffered gunshot wounds as well. Responding officers took Gable to a local hospital after the shooting, according to the police department. He faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated assault and is being held without bond on the murder charge.
Shed has been heralded for his service and valor by Empowerment Ministries Christian Center, whose pastor Gregg Magee said in a social media post that the deacon’s actions “ultimately saved others from harm.”
“Our beloved Deacon Eddie Shed was taken from us in a senseless act of gun violence,” the pastor said. “Deacon Shed was a pillar of strength within our community and a beacon of light and hope. His unwavering faith, kindness, and dedication to serving others have left an indelible mark on all who knew him.”
Praising Shed in a separate post, the church asked community members to contribute to a GoFundMe campaign created Sunday to support his family, including Shed’s wife and three children.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of Deacon Eddie Shed, a true hero taken from us too soon. His courage and commitment to our community will never be forgotten. He dedicated his life to serving others, leaving behind a loving family, including his wife Doris and their children,” the Empowerment Ministries Christian Center said in the post. “In this challenging time, we are asking for your help to support the Shed family. Every contribution made through our GoFundMe will ease their financial burden and honor Deacon Eddie’s incredible legacy of love and service.”
The fundraiser had collected roughly $4,700 of its $25,000 goal as of Monday morning.
