Three Suspects Wounded and Captured After Karak Church Shooting

Jordanian authorities detained three armed men on Monday after a multi-day search for the shooters responsible for a deadly attack at a church in the Karak governorate. The suspects were located in the village of Al-Jadeeda, where they hid in an abandoned house before engaging police in a shootout.

The incident began on Friday when three gunmen opened fire during a funeral service at a Greek Orthodox church in the village of Hamoud. Located approximately 120 kilometers southwest of Amman, the site was in a region with a high concentration of Jordan's Christian minority. The Ministry of Health reported eight deaths and 40 injuries at the time of the attack.

Security forces found the suspects on Monday after they refused to surrender. According to the Public Security Directorate, the men attacked the officers, prompting a return of fire. A government source described the exchange as lasting approximately three hours. All three suspects were wounded, with one reported in critical condition. Petra News Agency stated that no security personnel were injured during the operation. Weapons and live ammunition were recovered from the location.

By Monday, 27 of the original 40 injured victims remained hospitalized. The director of Prince Ali Military Hospital in Karak confirmed that one patient was still in critical condition following surgery. The directorate issued a statement noting that the suspects met their "just fate," without identifying a specific group linked to the crime.

Government officials moved quickly to address the security implications of the event. King Abdullah II sent condolences to the victims' families and stated that those responsible would face the "harshest penalties." He also ordered a review of national security procedures for responding to such attacks. Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya said authorities are examining the circumstances that lead young people to embrace violence and emphasized that all participants would be held accountable.

Communication Minister Mohammad Momani praised the security forces on social media, describing the capture as a successful joint effort. He confirmed that all three suspects were wounded and detained after refusing to give themselves up. The operation marked the end of the initial search phase for the individuals involved in the Friday shooting.