WICHITA, KAN -
Controversial late-term abortion provider Dr. George Tiller was shot and killed when he walked into his Wichita church Sunday morning. Tiller, 67, was shot just after 10 a.m., at Reformation Lutheran Church where he was a member of the congregation.
Tiller's wife stood in the choir. Tiller was serving as an usher during morning services when he was shot in the foyer of Reformation Lutheran Church.
See a locator map of the crime.
Witnesses said the shooter pointed his gun at two people who tried to intervene, but left without hurting anyone else.
Members of the congregation who were inside at the time of the shooting were kept inside the church by police. Those arriving were ushered into the parking lot. Some witnesses were transported downtown to answer questions.
Tiller has been among the few U.S. physicians performing late-term abortions. His clinic has repeatedly been the site of protests for about two decades. In fact, Tiller has been the victim of violence multiple times. On June 9, 1986, a homemade bomb was detonated on the roof of his Wichita clinic. No one was injured in that incident. Then in 1991, protesters blocked the entrance to his clinic until a federal judge ordered they be arrested. Two years later on Aug. 19, 1993, Dr. Tiller was shot outside his clinic. His wounds were not life threatening, and Shelly Shannon, an abortion opponent, was convicted and sentenced to prison.
Suspect:
The man being held in connection with the investigation is Scott Roader, 51, of Merriam, Kan. The FBI confirmed a home at 51st & Knox is part of the investigation. Johnson County property records show ties between the home and Roeder.
Roeder was turned over to Wichita Police in connection with the shooting. The suspect is expected to be charged Monday.
Court records and Internet postings show that a man named Scott Roeder has a criminal record and a background of anti-abortion postings on sympathetic Web sites.
Witnesses at the Wichita church where Dr. Tiller was shot got a good look at the gunman and the car taking off moment later.
Police stopped that car Sunday afternoon just outside the metro traveling north on I-35 near the Gardner exit. FOX 4 was there and got exclusive video of Roeder in the backseat of a patrol car. Later in the day, Roeder was taken by Wichita Police from the adult detention facility in Gardner.
Wichita Police are also towing the blue Taurus back to Wichita.
Neighbors said they've seen a similar car at the house in Merriam. They describe the ongoings at the house as strange. They said it's a revolving door of men coming and staying there and describe what appear to be religious gatherings.
There were a number of agents and officers at the home for several hours Sunday afternoon. The FBI say the investigation could go on for several days.
Reaction:
Anti-abortion groups are condemning Tiller's murder. The head of Kansans for Life said "We value life, completely deplore violence, and are shocked and very upset by what happened in Wichita today."
Planned Parenthood in Overland Park is stepping up security. After Dr. Tiller's shooting, the group began working with security personnel to make sure there are appropriate procedures in place. Planned Parenthood said it will provide services Monday morning like normal. The head of Planned Parenthood said he's horrified by the murder. And, he's determined to continue helping women in need.
Phill Kline investigated Dr. Tiller. He said he's stunned by the violent act and that the killer should be "met with the full force of law."
Dr. Tiller's family is devastated. They released a statement saying "This is particularly heart wrenching because George was shot down in his house of worship, a place of peace." They call his death a loss of women across America.
President Barack Obama also expressed outrage over the killing. "However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence," Obama said.
See Dr. George Tiller on FOX News and elsewhere.
Tiller's wife stood in the choir. Tiller was serving as an usher during morning services when he was shot in the foyer of Reformation Lutheran Church.
See a locator map of the crime.
Witnesses said the shooter pointed his gun at two people who tried to intervene, but left without hurting anyone else.
Members of the congregation who were inside at the time of the shooting were kept inside the church by police. Those arriving were ushered into the parking lot. Some witnesses were transported downtown to answer questions.
Tiller has been among the few U.S. physicians performing late-term abortions. His clinic has repeatedly been the site of protests for about two decades. In fact, Tiller has been the victim of violence multiple times. On June 9, 1986, a homemade bomb was detonated on the roof of his Wichita clinic. No one was injured in that incident. Then in 1991, protesters blocked the entrance to his clinic until a federal judge ordered they be arrested. Two years later on Aug. 19, 1993, Dr. Tiller was shot outside his clinic. His wounds were not life threatening, and Shelly Shannon, an abortion opponent, was convicted and sentenced to prison.
Suspect:
The man being held in connection with the investigation is Scott Roader, 51, of Merriam, Kan. The FBI confirmed a home at 51st & Knox is part of the investigation. Johnson County property records show ties between the home and Roeder.
Roeder was turned over to Wichita Police in connection with the shooting. The suspect is expected to be charged Monday.
Court records and Internet postings show that a man named Scott Roeder has a criminal record and a background of anti-abortion postings on sympathetic Web sites.
Witnesses at the Wichita church where Dr. Tiller was shot got a good look at the gunman and the car taking off moment later.
Police stopped that car Sunday afternoon just outside the metro traveling north on I-35 near the Gardner exit. FOX 4 was there and got exclusive video of Roeder in the backseat of a patrol car. Later in the day, Roeder was taken by Wichita Police from the adult detention facility in Gardner.
Wichita Police are also towing the blue Taurus back to Wichita.
Neighbors said they've seen a similar car at the house in Merriam. They describe the ongoings at the house as strange. They said it's a revolving door of men coming and staying there and describe what appear to be religious gatherings.
There were a number of agents and officers at the home for several hours Sunday afternoon. The FBI say the investigation could go on for several days.
Reaction:
Anti-abortion groups are condemning Tiller's murder. The head of Kansans for Life said "We value life, completely deplore violence, and are shocked and very upset by what happened in Wichita today."
Planned Parenthood in Overland Park is stepping up security. After Dr. Tiller's shooting, the group began working with security personnel to make sure there are appropriate procedures in place. Planned Parenthood said it will provide services Monday morning like normal. The head of Planned Parenthood said he's horrified by the murder. And, he's determined to continue helping women in need.
Phill Kline investigated Dr. Tiller. He said he's stunned by the violent act and that the killer should be "met with the full force of law."
Dr. Tiller's family is devastated. They released a statement saying "This is particularly heart wrenching because George was shot down in his house of worship, a place of peace." They call his death a loss of women across America.
President Barack Obama also expressed outrage over the killing. "However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion, they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence," Obama said.
See Dr. George Tiller on FOX News and elsewhere.
