Summary: An argument over seating at a Pennsylvania church ended with one man dead from multiple gunshot wounds and the shooter in jail.
Road rage is one thing but now you need to be aware of pew rage after a churchgoer in Pennsylvania was fatally shot over a seat.
Robert Braxton III, 27, was asked to move because he was sitting in a seat reserved for two other church members for the Sunday service. An argument ensued with him yelling at a church member that had tapped his shoulder, “don’t f—ing touch me.”
Read Friend of Charleston Church Shooter Faces Multiple Charges for a related story.
Braxton calmed down after talking with a church usher and the pastor. It was then that 46-year-old Mark Storms approached Storms with a gun in his hand, telling him to get out of the church. Storms flashed a Concealed Weapons Permit badge that is believed to have been purchased online.
Braxton then punched Storms in the jaw saying, “F— you and your fake badge, get the F— out of here.” Some witnesses thought they heard Braxton say “That’s not a real gun” and “What are you going to do, shoot me?” Storm did just that. He opened fire on Braxton, shooting him in the chest and right arm. He was rushed to the hospital but died from the gunshot wounds.
Read Radcliffe Haughton Kills Three and Wounds Four in Wisconsin Day Spa Shooting.
Storms was arrested and charged with voluntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment. The District attorney said at a press conference, “Storm’s shooting of Mr. Braxton was not a reasonable self-defense situation.” There was no reason for a loaded gun to be in the crowded church and he had no right to confront Braxton.
See Couple Arrested for Road Rage Incident That Ended with Shots Fired.
His bail has been set at $250,000. He claims it was self-defense and he showed his gun to defuse the situation, which he has done before according to court records.
Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/churchgoer-killed-fight-seat-sunday-service-article-1.2618098
Braxton Photo: detroitnewstime.com
Storms Photo: heavy.com