Newsbreak: Funeral Turns Fatal as Gunman Opens Fire at Alabama Funeral Home

Two people were wounded after a shooting took place at a funeral home in Cullman, Alabama on February 13, according to authorities and news sources. Police and deputies responded to the shooting report at the Cullman Funeral Home at around 10 a.m., and the victims were found inside the building. They were transported to hospitals in a stable condition.

Reports suggest that a funeral was taking place during the shooting, which has been described as a family matter. According to ABC News on February 13, 2023, Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker confirmed that the victims were family members attending the service. The suspect, Orie Shannon McDearmond, was arrested in the parking lot of the funeral home and charged with two counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault on family with a gun. McDearmond is currently being held without bond.

Following the incident, Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry stated during a news briefing on February 13, 2023, that “anytime you have loss, and then an incident like this, it just compiles that”. The shooting has raised concerns about the safety of funeral homes and the importance of their security.

Funeral homes are often targeted by criminals as they house valuable items and cash, making them a potential target for robbery. However, incidents like this highlight that funeral homes can also be the site of violence and tragedy. While the motive for the shooting remains unclear, authorities continue to investigate the incident.