Gunmen Kill 7 at Jordan Church Funeral, Wounding 34 as King Calls It Terrorism

Q: Who is the extremist group behind the deadly Karak church shooting, and how did they manage to escape the immediate manhunt?

No extremist group has been publicly identified as responsible for the Karak church shooting. Jordanian officials described the assailants only as a “group of extremists” or “unknown assailants,” and, as of the latest reporting, no organization had claimed responsibility. What is clearer is how they got away in the immediate aftermath. Witnesses and official accounts say the gunmen arrived by vehicle, got out, opened fire for several minutes during the funeral, and then fled the scene before security forces could contain the area. CCTV and broadcast footage showed at least three armed men approaching and shooting, then running back toward the church compound or away from the entrance as the attack unfolded. Reports indicate the assault was brief and chaotic, with 150 to 200 mourners present, which likely added to the confusion and gave the attackers a window to escape. Jordanian authorities said a manhunt was launched immediately and that investigators were working at full speed, but they did not explain any more sophisticated escape method than the attackers using a car, striking quickly, and leaving before the perimeter was sealed. Some local reporting said authorities may already have suspect names, but this had not been publicly confirmed in a way that identified a specific group.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 23

At least 7 people were killed and 34 wounded Friday when multiple gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in Karak, about 110 miles south of Amman.
State TV footage appeared to show three attackers—two with pistols and one with a semiautomatic rifle—running toward the church and firing before heading inside the area.
Jordan's government said unknown assailants carried out the attack and that investigators were working at full speed; Public Security Director Obeidallah Maaytah said 27 of the wounded were still being treated.
King Abdullah II called the shooting a terrorist attack, vowed the harshest retaliation and said Jordan would strike with an iron fist against anyone threatening national unity.
Karak, home to a Christian minority, was also hit by a 2016 gunmen assault that killed 10 people; Iraq's foreign minister quickly voiced solidarity with Jordan.