CLEVELAND, Ohio — Police tell News 5 that three people were shot outside St. Malachi Parish on Washington Avenue in Cleveland Monday evening.
Investigators said all three suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Police say one of the three shooting victims is a person of interest.
More than two dozen evidence markers lined Washington near West 25th Street, while a number of cars parked behind the church were hit by stray bullets.
The Catholic Diocese released the following statement on the shooting:
"Yesterday evening, July 29, a shooting incident occurred outside of St. Malachi Parish hall during the parish’s Monday Night Meal. The incident did not involve any parish members, guests, or volunteers, however, some vehicles in the parking lot were damaged by bullets. The diocese and parish community are extremely saddened by the violence that took place so near to St. Malachi Church, and we are praying for all those who were gathered for the meal and have been traumatized by this incident. We are grateful for the immediate response of the Cleveland Police Department, which continues to investigate this incident, and to the EMS workers who provided care to two of the individuals involved. Please join us in praying for all those impacted by this violent act, for our dedicated volunteers, and for all of the friends we serve at St. Malachi."
"It's going to cause a scare," said Cleveland Police Chief Annie Todd. "This is in broad daylight and anyone who's out here who witnessed it or heard it is going to cause, really it's going to cause a scare to everyone."
Police do not believe the shooting was related to the church. Instead, investigators believe it was a shootout between at least one man with a handgun and someone with a rifle.
The attack happened just outside the church hall, where an estimated 60 people were still inside following a weekly Monday night dinner.
"I heard bang, bang, bang, ba-bang, bang, bang," said Paul Farace, who was volunteering inside the church at the time."
He said he didn't realize it was gunshots until he saw people running and a man walk into the hall with a gun and a bloody foot.
"Either he removed his shoe or his shoe got shot off," said Farace, "and there was some blood stains through the hall."
He said the man then walked out the back door and away from the church.
Cell phone video from inside the church's kitchen shows people hiding behind a locked door. On the recording, at least one person is heard crying and another praying.
"It just really sort of destroys your innocence in a way," said Evan Iannone, who shot the video. "It's a sanctuary. It's a place of worship. People need to feel safe here and we were attacked."
A frustration shared by Farace.
"I wanted to go get a gun and go out there and return fire," said Farace. I'm not a cop. I'm not a soldier, but damnit, don't want bad things to happen to people I like."
Cleveland police said the investigation into the shooting and what led up to it continues.
The chief said officers will increase patrols in the neighborhood in an attempt to restore a feeling of safety.
