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Police ID Man Killed In Church Service Shooting In Montgomery County

By Cleve Bryan

NORTH WALES, Pa. (CBS) -- Police have identified the man shot and killed on Sunday during a church service in North Wales. Police say the shooter cooperated with them and authorities are now trying to determined if that shooting was justified.

Robert Braxton's family is now grappling with a few questions. First, why was he shot during church on Sunday and how come the shooter, so far, is not facing any charges?

In a moment, the atmosphere turned from uplifting to terrifying as at least one shot rang out on Sunday morning at the Keystone Fellowship Church in North Wales.

"We were worshiping and you hear three different gunshots, right after, I mean, everyone sort of went on the floor was hiding," said witness Breeana Somers.

Police say this doesn't appear to be another attempt at a mass shooting, but possibly a fight that went too far. It happened in the seating area in the back of the church.

Braxton, 27, from Montgomeryville Township, suffered a gunshot wound and died within an hour at the hospital.

The shooter was treated, released from the hospital and then questioned by police and allowed to go home.

"We're going to have to determine whether the shooting was justified under the law," said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele.

On Sunday, Steele said that the shooter had a concealed weapons permit and was cooperating, despite the fact that he fired a semi-automatic pistol, inside a church. Depending on the circumstances, he may not face charges.

Braxton attended North Penn High School, where he played basketball, and went on to study communications at Temple University.

Relatives say he was very dedicated to his church and close to family.

Police say that Braxton was shot in the chest. Following an autopsy on Monday, officials announced that Braxton died from multiple gunshot wounds and ruled his manner of death a homicide.

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