Photo credit: Morgue file

On Sunday morning, what started out as a peaceful sermon at Oasis Tabernacle Church in Selma, Alabama, turned into the hospitalization of three of its members, including the pastor.

26-year-old James Junior Minter is the identified suspect of the shooting and is currently being held in prison without bail. He entered the church and took a seat in the front pew between his girlfriend and infant child, and just moments after pulled a gun on both of them. His  girlfriend dropped to the floor and was struck in the jaw and the shoulder; the child was shot in the hand, and the pastor was attacked and then shot in the leg. The church members were able to subdue Minter and retrieve the gun, but he managed to flee the scene before police arrived.

Minter was captured less than a mile from the church and will be charged with three counts of murder among others. As for the victims, they are all in stable condition.

It is suspected that Minter was in distress over his recent breakup from his girlfriend and issues regarding visitation rights due to ongoing domestic violence between the couple.

If convicted of the charges, Minter could face up to ten years in prison.