70-Year-Old Alabama Man Indicted on Capital Murder Charges For Church Shooting

An Alabama grand jury has indicted 70-year-old Robert Findlay Smith on three charges of capital murder relating to the St. Stephens Episcopal Church Shooting in Vestavia Hills.

Smith was charged with the shooting deaths of Walter “Bart” Rainey, 84, Sarah Yeager, 75, and Jane Pounds, 84 last week in Jefferson County, Alabama.

On June 16, police responded to reports of an active shooter at the church during a “Boomers potluck” dinner. About 25 people were in attendance, including Smith. Smith had previously attended worship services at the church.

Smith sat alone until Rev. Doug Carpenter, a founder and former preacher at the church, invited him to sit with others. He swiftly declined, then produced a gun and shot three people.

A member of the church rushed towards Smith and hit him in the head with a chair, restraining him until officers arrived. Rainey was pronounced dead at the scene. Yeager and Pounds were transported to local hospitals where they later died.

A motive for the shooting is unknown. Smith is currently being held without bond in the Jefferson County Jail while awaiting trial.