AURORA, Colo. – A gunman who killed a woman outside a Colorado church was likely not targeting the congregation, police said Monday.
The woman was shot outside the Destiny Center in Aurora as services were ending Sunday. Police say an off-duty Denver police officer shot the gunman, who later died.
The woman killed is reportedly the mother of the church's pastor but authorities haven't identified her or the gunman. A message on the church's Facebook page asked that people keep Pastor Delono Straham, his family and the church in their prayers.
Police spokesman Frank Fania said investigators are looking at whether there was any connection between the gunman and the church. He said there was no previous dispute between the suspect and the church. Police believe the gunman acted alone.
Church spokeswoman Yolanda Marant said the church wouldn't be releasing any information. "The church, we're all traumatized by what happened yesterday," she said.
The church, still surrounded by police tape on Monday, is located in an office park and there is no sign advertising its presence on the street. A building next to the church was hit by bullets.
Fania said autopsies on the woman and gunman aren't scheduled until Tuesday and no other details about the shootings would be released until then.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
