Ohio police said that Reshad Riddle killed his father, Richard with a single shot from a handgun on Sunday afternoon at the Hawatha Church of God in Christ in the city of Ashtabula after an Easter service. The 25-year-old son reportedly was yelling about God and Allah after the killing, CBS News reported.
Associate Pastor Sean Adams told the Star Beacon of Ashtabula that worshippers started screaming, ducked for covered, and then calling 911 on their cellphones.
"It was terrifying," Adams told the newspaper. "The children were screaming and people were dialing 911. We were afraid to breathe."
The 25-year-old was ultimately subdued by officers, who arrived just moments after the shooting, but not before he yelled that the killing was "the will of Allah. This is the will of God."
Richard Riddle's gun wound suffered at the hands of his son was "immediately fatal," County Coroner Pamela Lancaster told the press.
"Witnesses at the scene said the shooter entered church and made some references to Allah, but we are not sure if that was a motive or if there was a family problem," Ashtabula Police Chief Robert Stell
"There is no indication that the father and son had a bad relationship. Everyone thinks this was very surprising," Stell added.
Court records show the 25-year-old has an extensive criminal record, indicating that he was arrested and charged with two counts of felonious assault, kidnapping, abduction and tampering with evidence in 2006. One of the felonious assault charges included an attempt to cut his girlfriend's throat.
Church parishioners said Reshad Riddle was a member of the church as a child, but did not attend services regularly as an adult.
"No one would have thought twice about him being here with his family on Easter," Adams said. "His family (has) been members here for years and years."
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