Church usher Robert Engle, 22, is being called a hero after he stopped a gunman at the Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch, Tennessee on Sunday. (Facebook)
A young church usher who confronted the suspect accused of opening fire at a church in Antioch, Tenn., on Sunday, is a “hero,” according to police — and his family says that's no surprise at all.
Robert Engle, 22, an usher with the Burnette Chapel Church of Christ, saw the suspected gunman, identified as 25-year-old Emanuel Kidega Samson, and jumped to stop him, according to witnesses.
Engle “physically engaged” with Samson, investigators added. Ultimately the suspect was shot, and Engle suffered a “significant injury around his head” after being pistol-whipped.
Engle then ran to his car, grabbed a gun, and held the gunman at gunpoint until law enforcement arrived, witnesses said.
Later in the day, he released a statement rejecting the “hero” label, adding: “The real heroes are the police, first responders and medical staff and doctors who have helped me and everyone affected.”
Suspect in Tennessee church shooting identified
Police say one person was killed, multiple people wounded
Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson said of Engle: “He’s the person who stopped this madness.”
Engle’s grandmother, Rheta, told the Tennessean that she’s proud of her grandson Robert.
“That’s like him. He’s just someone who cares about a lot of people. He has all their feelings at heart,” Rheta Engle said. “It would make any parent, grandparent very, very proud of him.”
A friend of Robert’s added that his friend is a “great guy. Just one of the kindest human beings you’ll ever meet.”
Metropolitan Nashville Police said Engle was being treated at Skyline Medical Center after Sunday’s shooting.
