In Hartford, Connecticut, a family dispute during a funeral service escalated dramatically into a violent confrontation, resulting in a stabbing and a shooting incident. The chaotic scene unfolded as attendees, numbering around 150, fled in panic from the Gospel Lighthouse Apostolic Church, situated just north of downtown Hartford, after gunshots were fired both inside and outside the establishment. The disturbance erupted during the funeral service of Ida Hawkins-Green, an 89-year-old woman remembered as the matriarch of a large family.
According to police reports, the incident featured numerous people exchanging blows before gunfire erupted amid the chaos, leaving one man with stab wounds and a woman grazed by a bullet. At the time of reporting, the injuries sustained by both individuals were described as non-life-threatening. Despite the recovery of two firearms at the scene, investigators are still in the process of determining whether they were discharged during the altercation. The scene inside the church bore evidence of the turmoil, with bullet damage visible within the premises.
Lt. Aaron Boisvert commented on the pandemonium during the altercation, emphasizing the tumultuous nature of the event as mourners frantically exited the church. Efforts to contact the Gospel Lighthouse Apostolic Church for further comment were unsuccessful, and a message was left for the pastor, who was unavailable at the time.
Ida Hawkins-Green’s legacy includes her ten children and more than a hundred grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as reflected in her obituary. Her death occurred last month, and her funeral was being held in her memory when the conflict erupted. The motive for the sudden outbreak of violence remains unclear.
Curtis Thomas, who intended to perform at the service, voiced his disappointment and dismay over the violence at such a somber occasion. In an interview with WTNH-TV, he expressed his frustration, questioning the presence of violence in a sacred place meant for peace and solace. “It’s already enough grieving. But to do it in a church? A church?” Thomas remarked, underscoring the inappropriateness of such actions in a venue dedicated to providing comfort and guidance.