One Killed, One Wounded At Funeral Shooting

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Nov 26, 2012 11:20PM

One person was killed and another was critically wounded when someone opened fire outside of the church where a funeral for a reputed gang-member was attended by about 500 people. Rev. Corey Brooks was speaking at the funeral for James Holman, 32, at St. Columbanus Catholic Church.

Sherman William Miller, 21, was killed. Another 26-year-old man is in critical condition.

The Sun-Times writes:

Brooks said he heard the gunfire after the service while he was leaving a side entrance to the church.

“It was crazy,” he said. “It was the worst thing you could imagine. People were running, screaming, trying to get safe. When people were going out the door, they saw the bodies.”

Brooks said he didn’t know the identity of the two victims.

“My heart is really broken that our community has come to the point that shooting at funerals is acceptable behavior,” Brooks said.

Rev. Brooks is also known as The Rooftop Pastor, as he spent months on the roof of an abandoned motel to protest violence on the South Side of Chicago. He also embarked on a nationwide walking tour to bring awareness to the cause.

Police say Holman was a known member of the Gangster Disciples, but authorities have not determined whether his death was gang-related. Police say Miller was also a member of Gangster Disciples.