Man Shoots Bride At NH Church: Officials

PELHAM, NH — A bride was shot during her wedding at a Pelham church Saturday morning, according to police. Police were called to the New England Pentecostal Church on Bridge Street at 10:12 a.m. and arrested Dale Holloway, 37. He was charged with first-degree assault.

Officials said Halloway barged into the church and shot the unidentified 60-year-old bride and then shot church bishop Stanley Choate, 75. Choate was taken to Tufts Medical Center with serious injuries.

The bride was taken to Lowell General Hospital and was listed in good condition.

A 60-year-old man was also injured when Halloway struck him with an object, according to New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon MacDonald. The man was taken to a local hospital and released.

Police Chief Joseph Roark told reporters Halloway was stopped when several wedding guests pinned him to the ground.

The shooting happened just before a memorial service for Luis Garcia, a church minister who was shot and killed earlier this month. U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan tweeted she was "deeply disturbed" to hear the shooting was on the same day as the memorial.

"Today was supposed to serve as a celebration of the life of Minister Luis Garcia," Hassan said. "This senseless violence can’t continue — my prayers are with the victims of this terrible attack."

Halloway was held in custody pending an arraignment Tuesday in Hillsborough County Superior Court.

Sunday's church services were canceled. Crisis counselors were made available for the Pelham community or the New England Pentecostal Church community at the Sherburne Hall community center.