(July 28, 2008)—Jim Adkisson, the unemployed 58-year-old former soldier who opened fire Sunday on a church congregation in Knoxville, Tenn., killing two and injuring seven, wrote a four-page letter, which indicates he was angry at liberals and his inability to find a job, police said Monday.
An audience of 200 had just watched the first scene of a children’s' play based on the musical Annie Sunday morning when the shooting began.
Adkisson opened fire with a semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun, which he had carried into the church in a guitar case, Knoxville Police Chief Sterling Owen, IV said Monday.
“He certainly intended to take a lot of casualties because he had at least 76 rounds with him,” Owen said.
He fired only three rounds before church members tackled him and held him until police arrived.
“He did not expect to leave there alive,” said during a news conference Monday morning.
Owen said the letter indicated Adkisson had been planning the shooting for “a week or so,” but said Adkisson’s anger had been “building over a long time.”’’
He said Adkisson was a former 1st Airborne Division soldier who had worked in mechanical engineering jobs around the country, but who recently had been unable to find work.
He said Adkisson intentionally targeted the church, which is known for promoting progressive social work such as desegregation and fighting for the rights of women, the homeless and gays.
The church had recently announced it welcomed openly gay members.
Adkisson’s letter ““stated hatred for the liberal movement,” Owen said.
Owen said Adkisson had purchased the shotgun about a month ago at a pawnshop.
Police have collected video cameras from people who were taping the play and are reviewing the video.
Adkisson is held on $1 million bond, facing state and federal charges.
The FBI and the ATF are involved in the investigation.
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