Karak Funeral Shooting: Authorities Identify Three Suspects After 15-Minute Ambush

Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya identified three gunmen as the primary suspects in the attack on a church in Hmoud, Karak governorate, on Friday. The shooting killed seven people and left at least 34 others injured. Al-Faraya described the perpetrators as a group of extremists during a press conference held to update the public on the investigation.

Witness accounts and CCTV footage indicate the violence began when three men arrived by car and entered the church grounds. Footage verified by the BBC shows two of the men entering through a vehicle entrance before retreating briefly. They returned with a third man, and all three were seen carrying handguns. The attack lasted approximately 15 minutes, according to Khalid al-Mdanat, who was present during the shooting. He reported that people attempted to flee while gunfire was still active.

The attackers escaped through the main church doors in a pickup truck, firing as they departed. No group has formally claimed responsibility for the incident. Early reports of the death toll varied, with a government spokesperson initially citing six deaths before officials confirmed the figure at seven. Al-Faraya called the event painful and horrific, stating it was unparalleled in the history of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Inside the church, witnesses described scenes of panic as mourners threw themselves under pews and moved away from windows. One woman noted that gunfire began seconds after a prayer and continued to escalate for ten continuous minutes. When she exited the building, she saw bodies scattered in the courtyards. Another witness compared the sudden noise to the start of a war.

Security forces closed roads near the Karak hospital treating the wounded, forcing many to walk to the facility. The area saw heightened security in anticipation of King Abdullah II’s visit to see the injured. The King stated that authorities would confront the terrorist act with the harshest penalties. Residents in Karak expressed shock and anger, with some criticizing what they called a failure to take a tougher approach toward terrorists.

Karak is home to a sizeable Christian community in the majority Muslim country. While such violence is rare in Jordan, deadly attacks have occurred in the past. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the incident as a heinous terrorist attack. He said the violence violated the sanctity of death and funeral mourners, contradicting religious and humanitarian values.

The investigation continues as authorities work to locate the three identified gunmen. The incident has drawn international attention due to the targeting of mourners during a religious service. Officials have not yet released the names of the three suspects or the specific vehicle used in the escape.