1 killed in shooting at Georgia megachurch
NewsCentral Staff
Story Created:
Oct 24, 2012 at 12:34 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Oct 24, 2012 at 8:37 PM EDT
(CNN) -- World Changers Church International in suburban Atlanta became a crime scene Wednesday when a gunman entered and began shooting, killing one, police said.
The golden-domed megachurch, which claims about 30,000 members, is led by well-known prosperity minister Creflo Dollar.
Eric Heinze with the U.S. Marshals Service says 52-year-old Floyd Palmer was taken into custody Wednesday. No other details were immediately available.
Fulton County Police Cpl. Kay Lester says he calmly walked into the chapel of World Changers Church International before a 10 a.m. service, opened fire, then left.
The victim was identified as Gregory McDowell, a 39-year-old church volunteer who was leading a prayer at the time of the shooting.
It was not known if the victim was targeted specifically by Palmar, Lester said.
Dollar has built an international religious empire, with broadcasts of his sermons beamed worldwide and speaking engagements in Europe.
Since he started his ministry in an elementary school cafeteria in 1986, Dollar has earned both praise and criticism.
Supporters say he has preached a message that's financially empowered his parishioners and challenged the idea that Christians should be ashamed to be rich.
Critics call him "Cash-Flow Dollar," and say his message perverts the Gospel.
CNN's Nick Valencia and Melanie Whitley contributed to this report.
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