Arthur Edigin Is Cypress, Texas, Church Shooting Suspect, Police Announce

UPDATE: 4:42 a.m. EST - Arthur Edigin, the shooting suspect who fired at a vehicle in the parking lot of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church on Huffmeister, Cypress, on Thursday, killing a woman and critically wounding another, was located in a hotel at 2424 West Sam Houston Parkway, the Harris County Sheriff’s office tweeted. The police along with a SWAT team was on the scene and negotiations were going on between the suspect and law enforcement. It was unclear whether the suspect was placed under arrest.

Original story:

A description of the shooting suspect who shot and killed a woman and critically wounded another in the parking lot of Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church on Huffmeister, Cypress, Texas, on Thursday, was released by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect in question was an African-American male named Arthur Edigin, 62, who was five feet, four inches tall and weighed 144 pounds. He drove a white ‘08 Suburban, the right front quarter panel of which was damaged. Details regarding the license plate of the suspect’s vehicle were not immediately available. The suspect was still on the loose and the police asked for the public’s help in locating Edigin.

Edigin reportedly shot multiple times at a vehicle, killing a 66-year-old African-American woman and injuring a 31-year-old woman. The victims are believed to be the estranged wife and daughter of the suspect. Both the victims were sitting in the passenger seats of the vehicle when the suspect fired at least five or six rounds from outside. There were no other people besides the victims in the vehicle. The suspect fled the scene in his car immediately after the shooting.

The suspect is believed to be a native of Harris County. As to whether Edigin was still in the area following the shooting, was not clear. Although the motive behind the shooting was not been confirmed, the police told reporters that initial investigation revealed that the incident was the result of an isolated domestic dispute.

Deputies responded to the scene after receiving a call of an active shooter outside the church at 7 p.m. local time (8 p.m. EST).

The following alert was sent by officials to the parents of children who attended classes at the church: “Crusader parents and staff, news is spreading rapidly of an event that has occurred in the parking lot of Christ the Redeemer Church. The school is currently on lockdown. Faculty, parents and students at the school are safe and police are on the scene. We'll update with more details as we have them.”

Pam Ledesma told ABC13 that her husband and three children had to hide in a gym closet during the lockdown.

“It's just crazy to see that stuff like happens, number one at a church, and I know we live in Houston, but at the same time, I mean, I don't know what kind of person would do that at a church when people are just trying to pray at night," Ledesma said. “I'm glad some people are safe, but unfortunately, some families aren't going to be feeling that same way tonight.”

The church released an extended statement regarding the incident on its Facebook page.

“We are saddened that such violence has visited our campus. Though it appears to be an isolated incident of a domestic dispute, the tragic assault on the two women and the dignity of human life is heartbreaking. Please join us in prayer for the families of the victims. We pray as well for the police who are investigating and are grateful for their service. We join with all others in praying that the shooter may be apprehended in due haste and that healing may begin for all impacted. May God bless us all,” part of the message said.

It added that regularly scheduled masses will be held on Friday but the Catholic school and Genesis Early Childhood Program will be canceled.