The gunman who allegedly opened fire at an Alabama church on Thursday has been identified as 70-year-old Robert Findlay Smith

Smith was one of the attendees at the “Boomers Potluck” gathering at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills on Thursday evening. At some point during the gathering, he took out a gun and opened fire, said Vestavia Hills police Capt. Shane Ware, NBC News reported. 

“The suspect has previously attended services at this church,” Ware said.

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Another attendee managed to subdue the suspect and held him down until cops arrived. 

“The person who subdued the suspect in my opinion is a hero,” Ware added.

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Smith was taken into custody and held in the Vestavia Hills City Jail overnight. He was charged with capital murder with two or more victims. The suspect will be transferred to the Jefferson County Jail on Saturday where he will be held without bond. 

Meanwhile, two people – 84-year-old Walter Rainey and 75-year-old Sarah Yeager – were rushed to a local hospital where they were pronounced dead. Claire Pounds, 84, succumbed to injuries at the hospital the following day. 

The motive behind the shooting was not disclosed by authorities.

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In 2008, Robert Findlay Smith sued Samford University and UAB police Officer Jeremy Burchfield, who detained him on Samford’s campus, claiming that he was “illegally detained” for carrying a firearm on campus and impersonating a cop by carrying a badge. In the suit, he also claimed that there was no evidence to prove that and the allegations were fabricated. 

His lawyer argued that “Many of Plaintiff’s customers are law enforcement personnel and merchants who sell firearms in Jefferson County and outside of Jefferson County throughout the state.”

He was awarded $29,000 in damages by a jury against Burchfield..

In 2016, he received a DUI and went to driving school.

In another case in November 2005, he was charged with possession of a handgun while intoxicated, a charge that was eventually dropped.