MONTEGO BAY, St James — When the first few shots rang out early Wednesday afternoon, worshippers inside Montego Bay New Testament Church of God paused their song of praise and struggled to process the unimaginable thought that their sanctuary had been breached by a hail of bullets.

Five shots were pumped into their church sister, Cora Thompson, as she sat and sold books mere metres away outside. Some congregants who had gathered inside for a fasting and prayer session could hear the bullets hit their mark. Host, Pastor Bishop Ruel Robinson, said efforts are being made to ensure they receive counselling.

“We will have to pray for each other. This is not a personal thing, it is a collective experience as a church so we plan to provide grief counselling to the church members and keep on praying and supporting the [victim’s] family,” he told the Jamaica Observer upon arriving at the church after the shooting.

The ground was still stained with Thompson’s blood as cops removed yellow crime scene tape after carrying out their investigations into the act that has rocked the church community.

“I know everybody is traumatised, having heard the explosions and then later to find out that one of their very own got [killed]. It is a very frightening situation,” the bishop said.

“It is a sad occasion, we never expected this to happen. It a senseless killing and it is a sad occasion for the members and the worshippers as well,” Robinson lamented.

He said efforts will be made to help the slain woman’s relatives cope with their grief.

“I am moreso concerned about the family members of our sister right now. We definitely have to reach out to them and provide any support that would help them to cope in this time of tragedy,” he declared.

He explained that Thompson sold books during church events and was a vibrant member of their community.

“Sister Thompson, the victim, she was a quality lady, somebody that is high spirited and cooperative, supportive; yes she is that kind of person. She gets along well with almost everybody,” he disclosed.

Her death comes five years after that of Andrea Lowe Garwood who was shot and killed during a church service in the nearby parish of Trelawny at the Agape Christian Fellowship building on Market Street in Falmouth.

Like that incident, the service was being broadcast live and worshippers in both instances could be seen reacting to the loud explosions.

Bishop Robinson did not hold back on his feelings about individuals who step into the church community and carry out these acts of violence.

“It is obviously a loss of fear for God, and once upon a time people would shy away from even swearing in the precincts of the church. I personally condemn this senseless act and it shows a spirit of disregard for God and the sanctuary,” he declared.

“Obviously this act was committed outside of the immediate sanctuary but overall it is something of great concern,” he added.

Investigations are under way, but according to eyewitness reports, a man armed with a gun was seen fleeing the scene on foot in the direction of Dome Street from Water Lane.

Police chief for the parish, Senior Superintendent Eron Samuels, said they are committed to bringing the assailant to justice.

“We are very hurt and upset about it and we will not spare any efforts to find who the killers are,” he told reporters following the fatal shooting.

“It is really an unfortunate incident and really an attack against, I would say, the city of Montego Bay,” Samuels added.

The bloodstained floor outside the church at Water Lane where Cora Thompson was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon.