An evening potluck at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, turned tragic on June 16, 2022, when a gunman opened fire on fellow parishioners. Jane Pounds, an 84-year-old female, was among the three victims who lost their lives in the attack. The other victims were Walter 'Bart' Rainey, 84, and Sarah Yeager, 75.
The incident unfolded during a 'Boomers Potluck' dinner when a man, later identified as Robert Findlay Smith, 70, who had previously attended the church, began shooting. Rainey had reportedly invited Smith, who was sitting alone, to join his table, an invitation Smith declined before opening fire. Rainey was killed at the scene, while Pounds and Yeager were transported to a local hospital where they later succumbed to their injuries. Pounds died on June 17, 2022.
Following the shooting, a church member subdued the gunman by striking him with a chair, holding him until law enforcement arrived. Robert Findlay Smith was subsequently arrested and charged with capital murder. He was booked into the Jefferson County Jail. Records indicated that Smith was a licensed firearm dealer.
