PELHAM, NH (WGME/WBZ) — A man was arrested after two people were shot at the New England Pentecostal Ministries in Pelham, New Hampshire Saturday morning. No one was killed.
According to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, 37 year-old Dale Holloway was arrested for First-Degree Assault.
A wedding was underway when the shooting occurred and guests were able to take Holloway down, according to police.
“Responding officers arrived within three minutes of the call,” said Police Chief Joseph Roark. “It does not seem to be a random event at this point, at least that’s what preliminary investigation is telling us.”
According to investigators, one of the victims in the shooting was the church’s Bishop Stanley Choate. Police said Bishop Choate was shot in the chest and was transported to a Boston Hospital with “serious” injuries.
In addition to Bishop Choate, two other parishioners suffered injuries during the incident. 60 year-old Claire McMullen was shot in the arm. She is being treated at a local hospital and is in good condition. 60 year-old Mark Castiglione was struck in the head with an object. He has been treated at a local hospital and released.
Accroding to Pelham Police, the church had recently received active shooter training from the department.
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu said in a tweet Saturday that “state officials are on scene assisting local first responders in the response and investigation” into the shooting.
The New Hampshire State Police and Pelham Police Department are continuing to investigate a motive into the shooting.
Furthermore, church services scheduled for Sunday October 13, 2019 at the church have been cancelled. Crisis counselors will be available for anyone in the Pelham community or the New England Pentecostal Church community at Sherburne Hall community center Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Holloway remains in jail and is expected to be arraigned on October 15 at 1:00 p.m. in Hillsborough County Superior Court.