Three Suspects Arrested in Karak Church Shooting

Three armed men were captured in a village in Jordan's Karak governorate on Monday, ending a multi-day search for the shooters who opened fire at a church funeral. The suspects were located in an abandoned house in Al-Jadeeda, where they resisted capture and exchanged gunfire with security personnel. All three were wounded during the confrontation and taken into custody. State media reported that the standoff lasted approximately three hours. No members of the security forces were injured in the exchange. A search of the building recovered firearms and live ammunition.

The attack occurred on Friday at a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hamoud, located about 120 kilometers southwest of Amman. Three gunmen targeted a funeral service. The Ministry of Health reported that eight people were killed and 40 were injured. By Monday, 27 of those injured remained hospitalized. The director of Prince Ali Military Hospital in Karak stated that one patient was still in critical condition following surgery. A government source indicated that one of the detained suspects was also in critical condition.

Public Security Directorate officials stated that the suspects refused to surrender and attacked forces who returned fire. The directorate described the suspects as having met their just fate and asserted that terrorism has no place among Jordanians. The statement did not identify a specific group linked to the suspects. Government Communication Minister Mohammad Momani praised the operation on social media, calling it a successful joint effort that resulted in the detention of all three wounded individuals.

Karak is a center for Jordan's Christian community. Approximately 300,000 Christians live in the country, which has a total population of 11.5 million. King Abdullah II sent condolences to the families of the victims. He ordered a review of national security procedures for responding to such attacks. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said authorities are examining the factors that lead young people to violence. He stated that anyone found to have participated in the attack would be held accountable.

Security forces continue to process the evidence collected from the Al-Jadeeda site. The three suspects are being treated at local medical facilities. The King declared that those responsible would face the harshest penalties under the law. The investigation into the specific motives of the gunmen is ongoing.