Gunman kills seven during church service

A gunman opened fire yesterday at a church service being held at a suburban Milwaukee hotel, killing seven people before taking his own life, authorities said.

Officers found four people and the gunman dead when they arrived at the Sheraton hotel. Three others died later at a hospital.

The victims were all in the same room at the hotel. The suspect, a man of about 45 who was armed with a handgun, was affiliated with the church, which had been meeting at the hotel every Saturday morning for four or five years.

Police have not identify the victims but gave approximate ages. Two boys ages 15 and 17, a 72-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman died at the hotel. Three men ranging in age from 44 to 58 died later at a hospital.

Four other people were hospitalised in serious condition.

Some hotel guests remained locked in their rooms after police surrounded the building and would not allow anyone to enter or leave.

New Berlin Mayor Telesfore Wysocki said police told him the gunman lived in his community just south of Brookfield. The gunman lived with his mother and sister, who were being interviewed by officers as police collected evidence at their house.

“We are in total shock and disbelief,” the mayor said.

Investigators searched a two-story house in New Berlin, but authorities declined to comment on whether the home was connected to the shootings, saying they would not release any more information until a Sunday morning news conference.

At the hotel, a small memorial began to take shape.

Someone placed a red-and-white cross in a snow bank in front of the building. Another person left two stuffed animals and a note.

At least two church groups were holding meetings in the hotel at the time of the shootings, police said.

The shootings took place during a meeting of the Living Church of God, a group based in Charlotte, North Carolina.